The first section of the motorway was opened in 1981, connecting Burnley to Brierfield. Over the years, several extensions were made, the largest being the link from Whitebirk to the M6 and M61 motorways in 1997. This extension was the scene of a standoff between construction security workers and protesters. Junctions 1a to 6 were opened 18 December 1997 by Jack Straw, Home Secretary and Member of Parliament for Blackburn. The opening ceremony took place on the westbound carriageway beneath junction 5 at Guide with a heavy police presence as protesters threatened to bring a halt to the proceedings. Much of the 1997 extension was relaid shortly after it opened with a new, quieter tarmac because the amount of road noise had been so great that it prevented birds of prey from foraging effectively. Originally, the M65 was planned to go via the town centre of Blackburn.
Features
Unusual spur road (Walton Summit Motorway)
When the M65 was extended, a slip road was built at Walton Summit, southeast of Preston, from the roundabout linking junction 9 of the M61 with junction 2 of the M65 to the Walton Summit industrial estate. It is a single-carriageway road, with two lanes towards the junction and one away. It is around 500 m long and replaced an A-road spur of the A6 that was built in the 1980s. According to the statutory instrument that authorised its construction, the road is officially classified as a 'special link road to connect the with the all-purpose road known as Tramway Lane'. According to Lancashire County Council, it is the 'M61 Link Tramway Lane to Junction 9' and is part of the M61. In 2007, the approach signs from Walton Summit were modified to read 'M61', but the signs still mark the roundabout at the eastern end.
Management of junctions 10–14
is responsible only for the 32.4 km section from junction 1a at Farington to junction 10 at Burnley. The 9.2 km section from junction 10, Burnley, to the M65's eastern terminus at junction 14, Colne, is operated and maintained by LancashireCounty Council.
Legislation
Each motorway in England requires that a statutory instrument be published, detailing the route of the road, before it can be built. The dates given on these statutory instruments relate to when the document was published, and not when the road was built. Provided below is an incomplete list of the Statutory Instruments relating to the route of the M65.
Statutory Instrument 1991 No. 722: The M65 Motorway and Connecting Roads Scheme 1991.
Statutory Instrument 1992 No. 2651: The M65 Motorway and Connecting Roads Scheme 1991 Variation Scheme 1992.
