PLANS to extend the M6 toll road into Cheshire have been scrapped in favour of a scheme to widen the motorway.

The expressway would have run parallel to the M6 from junction 11a, north Birmingham, to junction 19 near Knutsford.

Transport minister, Stephen Ladyman, said a toll road would have been too expensive and required too much land.

He announced that the M6 would be widened by one lane in each direction in a scheme that could be completed by 2017.

A review carried out by the Highways Agency concluded the toll road would be harder to construct than first thought and widening could be done quicker.

The toll road would require 50% more land than the widening option and would cost 15% more.