Motorway pledge for residents

The widening plan is aimed at cutting traffic jams

A Government minister promised that residents will not be ignored when proposals for widening the M6 in Staffordshire are drawn up.

Senior councillors, officers and Stafford MP David Kidney met transport minister John Spellar at Whitehall.

The group asked for assurances from the minister that both the views of the local authorities and the local residents would be taken into account in the multi-million-pound plans.

Initial proposals for the four-lane scheme north of junction 11 near Cannock up to Manchester are expected to be ready by mid summer, but the work is not expected to start for between seven and 10 years.

'Key factor'

Ron Hilton, Staffordshire's director of development, said: "The meeting went well. The county council has maintained its support for the widening proposals.

"John Spellar has confirmed that the county council will be involved in developing the options for widening the motorway."

Mr Kidney was also pleased with the outcome of the meeting.

"The minister reassured me that the interests of both the residents who will be affected by the work and the wider area of Stafford will be a key factor in the detailed planning and design of the work," he said.