60 years of motorways 05 December 2018
Today marks the sixtieth birthday of the motorway network, and of one entirely forgotten bridge in Lancashire.
Routes
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Preston Bypass
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.
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Histories
Preston Bypass
The very first motorway was eight miles of relief for the Lancashire town of Preston. It goes without saying that there's an interesting story to be told about it.
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Histories
Sir James Drake
County Surveyor and Bridgemaster for Lancashire in the 1950s and 60s, Drake was instrumental in the motorway revolution.
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Biographies
What's new
Schrödinger’s speed limit
In 2022, Manchester City Council say they reduced the speed limit on the Mancunian Way to 30mph. But it’s not clear if they did. It’s not even clear if they can.
Sorry, wrong number
Road numbering is a system with clear rules. What happens when the people responsible for numbering roads don't follow them?
We need to talk about Wisley
National Highways are spending a third of a billion pounds rebuilding one of the most congested junctions on the M25. Is it money well spent?
Have you seen...
Three Generations of the A82
Three roads were built in the space of 200 years, all trying to tame Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe. This is the impressive tale of one of Scotland's most memorable routes.
