THE long-awaited link from the M65 to the M6 escaped the axe.

The Government confirmed the scheme was a priority for its North West road-building programme. The first part of the scheme was already under way and the second put out to tender.

Several schemes had been withdrawn, including the southern and western bypass for Preston.

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