This gallery contains images sent in by visitors to Roads.org.uk — scans of original photos they took of motorways in the past.
If you have a couple of pictures documenting a motorway near you under construction in the 60s or lightly trafficked with Ford Cortinas then get in touch and get them posted on the site for all to see.
1964. The M4 under construction in west London, where it crosses the A4. This looks far too big, as though it was superimposed later. Taken c1964. Photo by Roger Maxwell
2002. Taken from the same point as the photo above, 39 years later, the Kingston Bypass has grown and so has the tower. Photo by Roger Maxwell
1982. The Orwell Bridge under construction near Ipswich — then for the A45, now carrying the A14. And a rather unusual vessel passing underneath!
1970s. The M62 at Scammonden Dam shortly after opening — considerably quieter than today, and also in much nicer weather than usual! Photo by Greg Taylor
1970. These three photos were taken by one of the people employed to build the M62 in about 1970. The M61/M62 interchange is seen here. The sign is blank on the left (where it should read M61) and on the right reads M62 (M66). Photo by D. Dunwell
1970. A little further along, the complexity of this three-way interchange becomes apparent. Catenary lighting has already been installed. Photo by D. Dunwell
1970. The northern part of the junction, with a gracefully curving flyover reaching ground level to the right. Lane markings are in place, but no hard shoulder. Photo by D. Dunwell
1965. The A1(M) Darlington Bypass, seen looking south from the A67 Merrybent bridge, taken on May 14th 1965. Photo by Lorraine Morrison
2008. The same view again, with substantially more foliage but little else different. Photo by Lorraine Morrison
March 1968. To the M40, looking towards London at the elevated viaduct section near High Wycombe. In the foreground is a line that closed two years later — after engineers had worked so hard to accommodate it. Photo by Robert
July 1968. A car misses the end of the road and hits the temporary barriers at High Wycombe. Photo by Robert
May 1969. Site clearance for what was about to become the M40 near Beaconsfield. This is now a dual-four lane motorway. Photo by Robert
Picture credits
- Two pictures of the Orwell Bridge under construction originally appeared in the East Anglian Daily Times in 1982.
With thanks to Bill Sheppard, Richard Wilson and Tony Frost for information on this page.