The proposed tolled M6 Expressway would run alongside the existing motorway from the north of Birmingham to the south of Manchester.

Groups opposed to the new road are holding a public meeting at Congleton Town Hall on Tuesday evening.

They want new Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander to overturn the plans made by Alistair Darling.

'Explore alternatives'

The new road will run from Junction 11a north of Birmingham to just north of Junction 19 in north Cheshire.

Tania Sayer, of South Cheshire Friends of the Earth, one of the speakers at the meeting, said: "There are many reasons why we want less traffic through our county - above all, its effect on climate change.

"The new transport secretary has already recognised that we can't go on increasing levels of traffic, and we urge him to scrap the idea of this unpopular and unnecessary road, and explore the alternatives."