The plan was that the new inner relief road around Blackburn would considerably ease congestion around the town.

But on the day that it officially opened to traffic, motorists were left wondering if all the work had been worth it.

For contractors brought the whole of the town centre to a standstill for around half an hour while they cleared the new road, unblocked various junctions and switched on all the new sets of traffic lights.

This picture was taken showing the queues on Preston New Road in September 1991