A bypass and a fourth lane on the M60 around Manchester are among �260m of changes aimed at reducing congestion in the region.

A government report on the problem also proposes improvements in public transport with more frequent bus services.

On an average week day 185,000 vehicles use the motorway, causing major congestion problems, especially at the M602/M61 junction.

But a spokeswoman for Transport 2000 said building more roads was not the answer.

Bypass route

Sandra Duttson told BBC GMR: "We've got really big traffic problems, but you can't build your way out of it.

"The air quality around the motorway is appalling - you've really got to reduce the traffic and persuade people out of cars."

The final section of the orbital motorway was completed in 2000, 40 years after the construction of the 35-mile road began.

The bypass that is proposed would be built at junction 12.