Carillion's M6 extension marks 50 years of motorways

Britain's newest motorway will be officially opened today - exactly 50 years after the country's first motorway welcomed its first motorists.

Transport Minister Andrew Adonis opened a new stretch of the M6 Extension half a century to the day after the nation’s first motorway standard road – the Preston Bypass - was opened by then Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.

The £174m M6 Extension from north of Carlisle to the Scottish Border has been built by Carillion.

Adonis said: “I am delighted to mark the 50th birthday of motorways in the UK by opening this vital section of new motorway which completes the motorway link between London and Glasgow.

“In half a century motorways have become the backbone of the UK’s road network. They are the lifelines of the country, making an invaluable contribution to our business and economic needs and they help keep friends and family connected. That is why we are investing in a safe, reliable and sustainable motorway network for the 21st Century – expanding the network where necessary and making smarter use of the motorways by opening the hard shoulder to traffic to cut congestion.

“It is a fitting tribute to the pioneers whose foresight began the motorway era exactly 50 years ago that the very same motorway is today being extended between Carlisle and Guards Mill. This will ease a notorious bottleneck and improve safety.”