BLACKBURN'S new £80m link to the motorway network, which has taken nearly four years to construct, should be open by Christmas. There had been conflicting reports that the M65 extension, running from the M6 in Bamber Bridge to the existing stretch of at Rishton, was due to open this month. But Highways Agency officials, who can't pinpoint an exact date, have promised festive cheer for beleaguered motorists who battle to get into Blackburn from central Lancashire every morning.

A spokesman said: "Weather permitting, we hope to open the road by Christmas, but we cannot open it until all the work has been completed."

He also quashed rumours that plans were being considered to open just part of the motorway, running from Bamber Bridge to the Hoghton Arms roundabout.

Residents feared that traffic would be pushed off the motorway and through Feniscowles towards Blackburn.

But the spokesman added: "When we open, it will be the entire stretch."

To complete the motorway, which has been built by AMEC and McAlpine, contractors had to shift 2.54 million cubic metres of earth, employ more than 700 people and use 68,250 cubic metres of concrete.

Previous news story

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.