THE official opening of the long-awaited M65 extension is finally set to go ahead next Monday.

Traffic will be able to travel along the road for the first time more than 20 years after the scheme was first unveiled.

And Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw is one of the leading contenders to cut the ribbon on the new section of motorway.

Work started almost three years ago following a series of confrontations with environmental protesters.

The final stretch will link the M65 to the rest of the country's motorway network and finally lay to rest the tag of "road to nowhere".

The decision to build the M65 was taken in the late 1970s, but funding for the final part of the project was withdrawn in 1980 by the Conservative Government.

Supporters claim the new motorway will relieve traffic congestion and pollution around Blackburn and Darwen.

The motorway link has also attracted scores of new businesses and firms to the area in recent years and several developers are lining up schemes for retail and leisure parks. Details of the opening ceremony are being kept secret because of security fears.

Government officials are worried opponents could attempt to stage a protest at the official ceremony.

Police fought running battles with protesters after they occupied Stanworth Woods shortly before construction work was due to start.

If all goes to plan and there are no last minute hitches, vehicles could be allowed on to the road on Monday afternoon.

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