THE controversial M65 motorway link was officially opened this week amid continued protests from environmentalists.

Home Secretary Jack Straw opened the 13-mile link road on Monday as scuffles broke out at Guide, near Blackburn.

After more than 20 years of waiting for motorists, the £145 million road was unveiled on Monday, December 15, connecting the M65 to the rest of the motorway network.

A group of civic dignitaries gathered to witness the historic ceremony and took the first trip along the new highway.

Road bosses reckon traffic will be cut by almost half in villages on the egde of the motorway and have predicted a drop in pollution levels in rural areas.

But protestors argued the road-building has caused massive environmental damage which has ravaged villages such as Brindle.

Mr Straw said: "The case for completing the missing link of the M65 was undeniable as the existing motorway was never designed to end at Blackburn.

"The people who protested against it were mainly from outside the area and the people of Lancashire have been looking forward to this for a long time."

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