It is now essential that work commences as quickly as possible on the project to widen the road in order to minimise the lengthy delays and spiralling costs caused by daily congestion on this key trade route.

FTA Chief Executive Richard Turner said, "The FTA has demanded the quickest solution, and yet we have wasted four years in considering what to do next. Inevitably that has substantially increased both the cost to the nation of the construction work and the cost to industry of extended delays."

The FTA called for the road's capacity to be increased as part of its 'Twelve feet wide' campaign in 2004 which said that the most expedient means of increasing capacity on the motorway network was to add to the existing structure.

"We have great confidence in the ability of the Highways Agency to carry out the work whilst the road remains 'live' and thus keep disruption to the minimum. On the M25 they have proved their skills in such a project. But the absolute essential is to get on with it. There is not a moment to lose. The M6 between Birmingham and Manchester is a critical trade route for the UK economy and users experience daily problems not appropriate for the fourth largest economy in the world. Now that the decision has been made, let's go for it!"

The Midlands to Manchester link was identified by a multi-modal study in 2002 as needing more capacity. In 2003 members of the Freight Transport Association identified the M6 as a road in need of urgent investment. The consultation in 2004 was tasked with determining whether a new road or a widening project would be preferable. Also in 2004 FTA campaigned for motorway widening on key trade routes.

Richard Turner ended saying, "The FTA also welcomes the requirement for demand management measures to ensure that the increased capacity is not lost by increased traffic levels. But that must not be a reason for further delay."