M50
Imperfectly Odd: the Strensham Loop 30 April 2021
For a while, the M5 ended at a 270-degree loop - but long after the motorway was extended, it kept on catching drivers unawares. But it left behind an unexpected legacy of safer driving.
Opening booklets
In days gone by, new roads were often celebrated with a grand opening ceremony and the issue of a commemorative booklet heralding the exciting new highway. You'll find some of them here, complete with a glimpse of all that empty tarmac and a healthy dose of modernist optimism.
The Ross Motorway 27 January 2018
The commemorative book published to mark the opening of the M50 is now available on CBRD.
What's new
London’s other forgotten motorways
We’ve spent years documenting the unbuilt urban motorway network planned for London. Today we’re unveiling more new routes that have never been seen before!
The middle of nowhere
A national system of road numbers radiating from a central point suggests there is… well, a central point. But if you go looking for it you’ll find it doesn’t exist.
Not so Smart
There have been rumours for months. Now the announcement has been made - “all new Smart Motorways scrapped”. What does this mean and who are the winners?
Have you seen...
Sir James Drake
County Surveyor and Bridgemaster for Lancashire in the 1950s and 60s, Drake was instrumental in the motorway revolution.