M65 motorway
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The M65 motorway is a major road in England. It runs from just south of Preston, through the major junction of the M6 and M61 motorways, east past Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley, to end at Colne.
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. Prior to its linkage with these motorways, it was along with the M2 the only two M numbered motorways to be unjoined to another motorway. This particular extension was the scene of a lengthy stand-off between construction workes and police, versus protestors often known as 'eco-warriors'.
A large section of the 1997 extension was relaid a short while after opening. The amount of road noise was so great that it prevented birds of prey (mainly owls) from foraging effectively. A new, quieter tarmac was then laid.