Forton Services

Building the Preston bypass, Salmesbury 1957

1957 

Start of construction of the Preston By-Pass bridge over the River Ribble at Samlesbury. One of the most spectacular bridges being built on the new By-Pass which will take the motorway from Cuerdale across the valley to the Red Scar enscarpment.

Work on Preston By-Pass. Up to the time when this photograph was taken over 50,000 tons of earth had been removed by the giant bulldozer and mechanical navvies. View is from the Red Scar cliff overlooking the River Ribble

Another veiw of Red Scar Cliff, further on in construction

Preston By-pass bridge in the course of erection. It will carry the road on the final sweep to join the A6 north of Preston

Preston By-pass bridge in the course of construction. Below the rising supports the stream has been culverted

Preston By-pass bridge in the course of erection to cross the Blackburn-Preston railway line near Brindle Road.

Samlesbury nearing completion

A link to a copy of the opening day booklet issued as the Preston Bypass opened

Preston Bypass inauguration booklet

         Salmesbury        Preston Bypass Inauguration         North Escarpment   

North Escarpment

          Road rollers                             Higher Walton Bridge

In good hands, the A.A. on the Preston Bypass

Brave new world - Motorway signs for the unsure in 1958!

Preston Bypass Salmesbury approch

Early 1960's map shwing the Preston Bypass route

Blackpool Road, Preston in the 1950's - Congestion in Preston, reasoning behind the 1958 Preston Bypass

Arial photograph from 1964 of The Broughton interchange. Construction underway to link The Preston Bypass with The Lancaster Bypass. This stretch opened in January 1965. Alongside is a present day veiw, junction 32 of the M6

Broughton Interchange - Preston 1965

Northern approach towards Scorton Parish Church about a mile south of Forton. Under construction 1964

Forton under construction 1964

The Lancaster Bypass

Sub-base laid at Hampson Green at the south end of the Lancaster Bypass

Hampson Green - South junction of the Lancaster Bypass 1960. Now junction 33 of the M6 motorway. Linked to the Preston Bypass in 1965.

 A link to a copy of the opening day booklet issued as the Lancaster Bypass opened

The opening of Lancaster Bypass, 1960

Lancaster Bypass 1960 looking north at Bailrigg. The Top left of the picture is now the site of Lancaster University.

Arial photograph of Hampson Green 1964. Construction work has started to link up The Lancaster Bypass with The Preston Bypass. Opening January 1965. Alongside is a present day veiw, junction 33 of the M6.

Taken January 1965, the opening of the M6 section between jct 32 & 33

Congestion in Lancaster 1960's on Morecambe Road.  Note the railway lines to the right now form part of Greyhound Bridge, which opened as a road bridge after conversion in 1972.

Original timber railway viaduct (Poulton to Wennington) over the Lune at Green Ayre, 1848-1864. Replaced by Greyhound Bridge in 1911.

1910 - Demolishion of the old bridge. The newly constructed Greyhound Bridge can be seen to the far left

Greyhound Railway Bridge prior to conversion

 A link to a copy of the above booklet

Another of Lancasters' main arteries Skerton Bridge in 1968 - Or what not to do with a double decker bus!

Early 1960's map showing the Lancaster Bypass route

Traffic jam on the Lancaster Bypass 1960. traffic congestion around Lancaster is nothing new!

The Lune Bridge at Lancaster under construction in 1960. This is now junction 34 of the M6 motorway

The Lune Bridge at Lancaster under construction in 1960. This is now junction 34 of the M6 motorway

The Lune Bridge at Lancaster under construction in 1960. This is now junction 34 of the M6 motorway

The Lune Bridge at Lancaster under construction in 1960. This is now junction 34 of the M6 motorway

North end of Lancaster Bypass from Kellet Lane Bridge under construction 1960.

The north end of the Lancaster Bypass terminating at Carnforth, now junction 35 of the M6 motorway.

What the future holds. Plans for the much debated Lancaster / Heysham bypass, due to begin construction in 2010. please click on the link below -

Lancashire County Council plans for the Lancaster Bypass

Shap & Tebay

Building the M6 between Kendal & Shap

 Building the M6 at Tebay, Cumbria

Photos below taken around 1970/72

Shap

Shap

Tebay

Tebay

 Shap

 Shap

An early photo of Killington Lake Services - One of Road Chefs' origional sites. This opened in 1972.

Southwaite Services, Carlisle, Cumbria

Opened in 1972. Originally Northbound only. Southbound services were added by Granada in 1977 due to the popularity and volume of trade on north. Below are a selection of photos from the 1970's and early 1980's.