TAILBACKS formed on the M65 yesterday as weeks of highway works got under way.

Motorists said traffic was at a standstill between Burnley and Nelson as afternoon rush hour approached.

The work, which is due to finish in December, involves improving safety barriers to allow traffic to use the hard shoulder and reduce delays during future roadworks. The work is taking place between junction 10 at Burnley to junction 14 at Colne.

One motorist told the Telegraph said: “It was quite annoying to see them doing work in the middle of the day. You would think common sense would see them wait until later at night. It will mean lots of delays over the coming weeks.”

Oliver Starkey, from Lancashire County Council, said: “We'll do our best to minimise disruption and, where possible, look to avoid working when we can expect the motorway to be at its busiest. “