M65 motorway

The M65 is a motorway in Lancashire, England, running between Preston and Colne. It starts at Bamber Bridge south of Preston and passes major junctions with the M6 and M61 motorways. The route continues east through Darwen, Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Brierfield, Nelson and ends at Colne. The motorway was built in stages between 1981 and 1997, with the final extension linking to the M6 and M61. The M65’s history includes notable events such as a 1997 extension that faced protests from environmental activists. Construction workers and protesters clashed over plans to build through Stanworth Woods, leading to physical removals. The opening ceremony for the extension was held under heavy police presence. After opening, much of the new tarmac had to be relaid because the noise disrupted local birds of prey. The M65 includes an unusual spur road called the Walton Summit Motorway. This single-carriageway slip road connects the M61 roundabout to the Walton Summit industrial estate. It is about 600 yards long and replaced an older A-road spur. The road is officially classified in different ways by statutory instruments and Lancashire County Council. Signs at the approach still mark the roundabout at the eastern end.