MP criticises motorway plans

MP criticises motorway plans

Mr Kidney said the scheme would cause more pollution

Stafford MP David Kidney has criticised plans to expand the M6 motorway.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Labour MP questioned how much his constituents will benefit from the scheme.

An estimated £900m is being pumped into expanding the motorway to provide an extra lane on each carriageway.

Traffic congestion is a major problem in the area.

I want Staffordshire businesses to be successful but I do not believe heavy reliance on the widening of the M6 motorway is the right way to help them

Stafford MP David Kidney

But Mr Kidney said the proposals would cause more pollution and more noise for residents.

He also voiced his concern that the cost of widening the motorway would result in other schemes, such as the expansion of park and rides, losing out.

Proposals to widen the M6 from junction 11a, the M6 Toll link, to junction 20, south of Warrington were announced last December.

Since then, Mr Kidney said opinion in Staffordshire has been divided.

He said businesses had argued it was vital to improve the economy but he wants the government to encourage other forms of transport.

'High cost'

Mr Kidney said many residents whose homes were near the motorway in Stafford were unable to open their windows during the summer for fear of pollution.

"I want Staffordshire businesses to be successful but I do not believe heavy reliance on the widening of the M6 motorway is the right way to help them," he told members of the House of Commons.

"I also think it comes at too high a cost to Staffordshire residents."

However Transport Minister David Jamieson gave his assurances that the environment will be considered in the widening of the M6.

'Improve safety'

"I understand Mr Kidney's concerns regarding impacts on the environment and on his constituents," he said.

"That is why we have asked the Highways Agency to ensure that detailed design work is carried out to high environmental standards in order to minimise any adverse environmental impacts."

He added 90,000 journeys each day are made on the stretch of the M6 targeted by the scheme.

Mr Jamieson said the improvements would relieve congestion and improve "safety and accessibility".