CAMPAIGNERS have condemned £2 billion plans to expand the M6 motorway on the outskirts of Middlewich.

Protesters say the Government should be investing more money in public transport and measures to reduce the number of cars on the road.

Friends of the Earth Campaigns coordinator Tania Sayer said: 'Tony Blair's government has suspended democracy and replaced it with a 'we know what is best for you, even if we know that it is not what you either need or want' attitude. It would cover the county in tarmac.

'It has been proven in study after study that more roads lead to more traffic. There is a complete contradiction between a road building programme and Tony Blair's assertions that climate change is the planet's greatest threat.'

Three options were put forward for the 50-mile development between Junctions 11a and 19 - widening the M6 either through adding extra lanes on each side or by constructing a new four-lane carriageway alongside the existing lanes, or creating an M6 Expressway toll road that will run parallel to the motorway.

Lillian Burns, vice-chairman and transport spokeswoman for the Campaign to Protect Rural England's Cheshire branch, branded the M6 Expressway proposal a 'Los Angeles-scale highway infrastructure'.

She added: 'Existing M6 junctions 18 at Middlewich, 17 at Sandbach and 16 at Crewe and Nantwich would have to be rebuilt. The scale of new infrastructure involved, which would include new bridges, viaducts and underpasses, would be huge.'

Highway Agency officials unveiled the proposals on Friday when they said they are only creating concepts for the development and any decision would have to be taken by Government.

There will be a period of public consultation which is expected next year before a decision on what option to take on the motorway is made.

Work is expected to be completed on the project in 2017.

Middlewich Mayor Chalky White slammed the plans, saying: 'This is a big issue which could threaten huge sections of the countryside in Middlewich.'