Foundation work on the new Preston bypass around1957. The twin chimneys of Courtaulds red scar works can be seen in the background. It was decided that the carriageway construction should consist of a sub-base of burnt red shale, varying in thickness from 12 to 36 inches depending on ground conditions, followed by a nine inch thick layer of wet mix and a surface of two inch thick tarmacadam base course with a inch thick temporary wearing course of fine cold asphalt. The form of construction of the hard shoulders was to be little more than that of a hardened vergeplaceholder image
Foundation work on the new Preston bypass around1957. The twin chimneys of Courtaulds red scar works can be seen in the background. It was decided that the carriageway construction should consist of a sub-base of burnt red shale, varying in thickness from 12 to 36 inches depending on ground conditions, followed by a nine inch thick layer of wet mix and a surface of two inch thick tarmacadam base course with a inch thick temporary wearing course of fine cold asphalt. The form of construction of the hard shoulders was to be little more than that of a hardened verge

Preston bypass: Here's 10 pictures showing construction of England's very first motorway - the M6

By Naomi Moon
Published 8th Dec 2022, 11:04 GMT
Updated 9th Dec 2022, 12:48 GMT

This week marks the anniversary of the opening the very first motorway in the country.

The road – named locally as the Preston bypass – blazed a trail when it opened in 1958. There was no speed limit, no crash barriers, and no warning signs of danger ahead. The eight-and-a-quarter mile road could be something of a white knuckle ride for intrepid motorists when it was opened to traffic by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan exactly 64 years ago this week. READ MORE: Mystery man seen on roof of Preston’s St George’s Shopping Centre. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Christmas parties past for Preston residents. MORE MEMORIES: Wander through Broadgate in the 80s

Commencement of construction Preston Bypass. At the Inauguration ceremony Mr. Fred Hackett drove his bulldozer and ceremoniously demolished a hedge to indicate the start of the construction. The first section of the motorway, and the first motorway in the country, the Preston by-pass, was built by Tarmac Construction and opened by the then Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on 5 December 1958. Picture courtesy of Preston Digital Archive

1. Preston bypass

Commencement of construction Preston Bypass. At the Inauguration ceremony Mr. Fred Hackett drove his bulldozer and ceremoniously demolished a hedge to indicate the start of the construction. The first section of the motorway, and the first motorway in the country, the Preston by-pass, was built by Tarmac Construction and opened by the then Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on 5 December 1958. Picture courtesy of Preston Digital Archive Photo: Preston Digital Archive

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Aerial view of the excavations taking place on the north escarpment. The factory in the background is the Courtauld's Red Scar works. The first section of the motorway, and the first motorway in the country, the Preston by-pass, was built by Tarmac Construction and opened by the then Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on 5 December 1958. Picture courtesy of Preston Digital Archive

2. Preston bypass

Aerial view of the excavations taking place on the north escarpment. The factory in the background is the Courtauld's Red Scar works. The first section of the motorway, and the first motorway in the country, the Preston by-pass, was built by Tarmac Construction and opened by the then Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on 5 December 1958. Picture courtesy of Preston Digital Archive Photo: Archive

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Early stage excavation on the new Preston Bypass. View looking south from the base of Red Scar towards the Samlesbury interchange. Photo courtesy of David Eaves

3. Preston bypass

Early stage excavation on the new Preston Bypass. View looking south from the base of Red Scar towards the Samlesbury interchange. Photo courtesy of David Eaves Photo: David Eaves

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Construction of the reinforced bridge supports that will carry the new Preston Bypass at Fernyhalgh Lane, Fulwood. Picture courtesy of Preston Digital Archive

4. Preston bypass

Construction of the reinforced bridge supports that will carry the new Preston Bypass at Fernyhalgh Lane, Fulwood. Picture courtesy of Preston Digital Archive Photo: Archive

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