Ringways References

This is an experiment into how references might be collated and published for the Ringways articles. The references will not be placed on the pages themselves, to avoid it becoming too academic and even less readable, but instead will be collated here, with each key point in the text married up with its source.

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Background

Early plans

New Road opened ca. 1756

Royal Commission on London Traffic

SJ 16

Rees Jeffreys' ring road proposal

SJ 16 has outline only

Traffic Board for London

SJ 16

Arterial Routes built by 1930s

Highway Development Survey 1937

SJ 16 has outline

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Wartime plans

The County of London Plan, 1943

See County of London Plan (1943)

The Greater London Plan, 1944

See Greater London Plan (1944)

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Post-war and beyond

Proposal to reverse roles of A and B rings

MT 95/86 discusses little else

Land for road construction not protected

M1 to terminate near Marble Arch

MT 112/67 & SJ 15

Motorway Box replaces A- and B-rings

Eastern side was pre-existing road proposal

LCC plans and omission of Motorway Box

West Cross Route planning status in 1962

West Cross Route: Interim Report on Stage I (1962) - document is dated April 1962

GLC purpose included planning of road network

Consultants brought in to assist GLC with planning

Letter from GLC to MoT (London Highways Division), 3 September 1968, held at MT 106/299

GLC unhappy with use of Abercrombie terminology

GLC's overall plan and timescale

HLG 159/572 has full timescale, and costs the scheme at £1.7bn

Evening Standard report with incorrect cost and rehousing numbers

Evening Standard 26/05/66, "That motorway box 'could cost £3000m'"

Camden suggesting higher capacity on North Cross Route

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Epilogue

Correspondence between Ministry and GLC

T 319/1842 has memos in 1969 asking about "killing the whole project"

Estimate of cost at 1970

T 319/1842 has the GLC estimating £1,700m

GLDP as biggest inquiry in British history

Protest groups set up in South West London

The Borough News 16/10/70; p. 16 "Putney Motorway Action Group formed"

Further items to be added to this list.

Grove Park Group's analysis and report

Coalition of South London councils

Clapham Observer 11/02/72; "Councils combine to fight M-way 'madness'"

Barnes Motorway Action Group newspaper spread

Putney and Roehampton Herald 02/07/70 (held at Wandsworth Local History Service)

Layfield Report decision on Ringway 1

HLG 159/626 has the full decision on transport

DoE memo to Treasury recommending Layfield's proposals

T 319/2655

Government policy on Motorway Box

T 319/2655

Leaks in Sunday Times and Private Eye

T 319/2655 has details - specific editions are:

Sunday Times 11/02/1973; "The Motor Car Wins its Biggest Victory"

Sunday Times 18/02/1973; "Full Cabinet approves London's Motorway Box"

Private Eye 23/02/1973

Treasury memo puts Ringway 1 "out of the question"

T 319/2655 includes memo dated 20/02/1973 from Diana Seammen to Mr Howard, stating "the Inner Motorway Box will never be implemented"

MoT merges R3 and R4 to form M25

GLC cancels R2 plans in favour of M25

A102(M), A40(M), M41 open to traffic by 1973

Motorways within Greater London downgraded

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Ringway 1

See Category:Ringway 1.

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Ringway 2

Objector arguing that R2 would only encourage cars

Objector from Strand-on-the-Green association

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North Circular Road

Route, Hanger Lane - Woodford

This road was pre-existing

HLG 159/1024 indicates that the existing North Circular was to be upgraded

North Circular as Trunk Route

MT 106/151 indicates that, in 1961, the North Circular was the responsibility of the MoT

Ministry of Transport proposals, 1961

MT 106/151 for the report itself

MT 106/152 for accompanying plans and diagrams

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Eastern Section

Route, Woodford - A13

GLC/TD/PM/CDO/07 shows new alignment that matches present

Route, A13 - Thamesmead

Route, Thamesmead - A2

MT 106/291 has descriptive outline

A406 previously terminated at Gants Hill

Proposed designation M15

Roads in England, 1973/74 for section listed as A406 - A13

SJ 25 includes reference to M15 through the R2/M11/M12 junction

1960s preference for tunnel

MT 106/291 describes a dual four-lane tunnel

Controversy surrounding Oxleas Wood

Resurrection of river crossing by Ken Livingstone

Referenced in The Guardian, 23 January 2002

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Southern Section

Route, A2 - A23

MT 106/291 has descriptive outline

Route, A23 - A24

MT 106/291 has descriptive outline

Route, A24 - Wandsworth

MT 106/291 has descriptive outline

Junctions at Grove Park

HLG 159/959

Double-deck and interchange at Elmer's End

HLG 159/2316

Layout of A21 interchange

Lewisham Mercury, 04/12/1969; "Here's the Secret M-Way Map and all the Details"

M23 terminal interchange

GLC proposal to roof over sections

GLC consider R2 high priority

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Western Link

Route, Wandsworth - M4

MT 106/291 has descriptive outline

Route, M4 - A40

MT 106/151

Lack of connection between motorway and relief roads in Wandsworth

MT 118/379 has plans of the local road network improvements with the motorway's location indicated, and does not show any connection to the motorway.

Artist's impression of motorway at Barnes Bridge

Uncredited press cutting at Richmond Local History Service. From the context it is likely to be from the Richmond Herald, 1966.

Four-level stack with A316

HLG 159/2274

Chiswick triangle, noise and demolition

HLG 159/936

HLG 159/2274

HLG 159/2342

Chiswick Flyover interchange

HLG 159/2274

Barnes Motorway Action Group

West London Assessment Study

West London Assessment Study, Stage II. Viewed at Richmond Archives. Detailed page to follow.

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Ringway 3

Abercrombie's D-Ring as precursor

MT 106/413 includes written confirmation that several sections used D-Ring protected lines

MT 95/85 includes plans of the D-ring at locations that match known routings of Ringway 3

GLC discussing only three ring roads

Ringway 3 as route for long-distance traffic

MT 106/413, related to 'D-Ring' being constructed entirely as motorway in 1966

Ministry plan for Outer Orbital motorway M45

MT 112/67

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Northern Section

Route, M1 - Bignell's Corner

This line is a best-guess and no source documents whatsoever have been found for an official line between Bushey and Bignell's Corner. However, there are some Geographia maps with a potential route on them.

M31 Consultants' Report has outline of route, although it does not quite reach Bignell's Corner

Route, Bignell's Corner - Potter's Bar

As built before 1973

Route, Potter's Bar - A12

As planned before 1973

Unbuilt junction at A11

T 319/2655 includes plans of this

Use of M16 designation before opening

T 319/2655 has plans of "M16 motorway" between A10 and M11, which match precisely what is now M25

Use of temporary A1178 number

Incorporated into full-circle M25

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Eastern Section

Route, A12 - A20

AT 56/98 confirms that what is now M25 between M11 and Dartford was programmed as Ringway 3/M16

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Southern Section

Route, A20 - Addington

MT 120/169 has outline route

Route, Addington - Thames

MT 120/169 includes outline route

Alternative route, Addington - Chessington

Consultants still investigating routes in 1971

MT 120/272 indicates possible routes between M4 and A20 under investigation, in memo dated September 1971

Newspaper report concerning "final route"

HLG 159/1318 indicates a plan was published in Sutton and Cheam Advertiser, 23/07/1970, but so far we have been unable to track down that particular edition of this newspaper

No final route ever selected

MT 120/272 and HLG 159/321 both suggest the route was with consultants in 1971, and the final report of their findings was not due

Engineering standards

MT 120/272 indicates urban dual-4 alignment changes to rural dual-3 at a grid line on the plans in the absence of detailed study on where the change should occur

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Western Section

Route, Thames - M3

Route, M3 - M4 - Yeading

Route, options at Yeading

Route, MoT option Yeading - South Oxhey

Check (same as GLC route)

Route, GLC option Yeading - South Oxhey

Check (same as MoT route)

MT 106/291 for 1964 route through Stanmore and Harrow to M1 junction 3

Ministry line v GLC line

Settled in favour of Ministry line before GDLP inquiry, The Times, 13-03-71

HLG 159/321 has report comparing the two options

R3 connecting to M3 junction 1

R3 connecting to M3 at new junction at Upper Halliford (inc. reserved land and property dispute)

MT 120/169

Cost comparison of Ministry and GLC route options

HLG 159/321, including GLC argument that their line was "more accessible"

Previous plans for D-Ring and to link M1 and Heathrow by dual carriageway

MT 106/291

Memo indicating urban or rural motorway standard

MT 106/413

File suggesting route number M16 between A4020 and M1

MT 106/118

Hansard, 07-11-72

Ringway 3 still at least partially in roads programme in 1977

Hansard, 05-04-77

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Ringway 4

Abercrombie plan for outer parkways

Greater London Plan (1944)

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North Orbital Road

Route, Navestock - M11

MT 120/169 has outline maps

Route, M11 - Hatfield

MT 120/169 has outline maps

Route, Hatfield Bypass

Route, Hatfield - Watford

MT 120/169 has text description

Proposed as all-purpose road

MT 120/169 implies very strongly

A1170 Dinant Link Road as R4

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Western Section

Route, Hunton Bridge - Maple Cross

M31 Consultants' Report has outline of route

Route, Maple Cross - Staines

M31 Consultants' Report has outline of route

Route, Staines - River Thames

M31 Consultants' Report has outline of route

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Southern Section

Route, River Thames - A3

Shown in M31 Consultants' Report

Route, A3 - M23

Route, M23 - M20

Link south-west of M25/M3 interchange

May be part of non-preferred M31 Red Route. Dotted line shown in M31 Consultants' Report

Stacked roundabout interchange at A21

MT 121/57 has full diagrams, including proposed MSA.

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Denham Spur

Route, Denham - Ruislip Common

GLC/TD/C/P/02 indicates line as planned in 1965

Oversize bridges at Denham built without authority

Denham Spur emails

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Northern Radials

See Category:Radials North.

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Western Radials

A41(M)

Route, Hemel Hempstead - Hunton Bridge

Indicated as "motorway projected" on Ordnance Survey Landranger sheet 166 revision A* published April 1975

Route, Hunton Bridge - M1

Existence of route, Roads in England 1971/72

Tring Bypass completed in 1970s

Listed as under construction, Roads in England 1973/74

Hunton Bridge as terminus of M25

MT 138/44

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A40, A40(M) or M40

Route, High Wycombe - Denham

GLC/TD/C/P/02 shows M40 route was built as planned

Route, Denham - Shepherd's Bush

GLC/TD/C/P/02 indicates on-line improvement was expected throughout

Route, Shepherd's Bush - Marylebone

R4 to connect at Denham (M40 junction 1)

MT 121/57 & MT 106/291 show R4 approaching M40 from south and terminating

HLG 159/479 shows R4 via M40 continuing towards Maple Cross

R4 to connect at present M25 junction

Sliproads at Denham designed with provision for spur

Denham Spur emails

Spur to R1 at Gypsy Corner

MT 106/437 has engineering plans

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M4

Route, Slough - Chiswick

GLC/TD/C/P/02 has this route incorporated as-is

Route, Chiswick - Earl's Court

Possibility of widening Chiswick elevated section

Limited-access proposal for Chiswick Roundabout

HLG 159/2274

Free-flow proposal for Chiswick Roundabout

Confusion over status Chiswick - Earl's Court

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M3 or A316

Route, Staines - Sunbury

GLC/TD/C/P/02 shows the route of M3 was to be incorporated as-is

Route, Sunbury - Richmond

GLC/TD/C/P/02 has a primary route planned on the current line of A316 Country Way

Route, Richmond Bypass

GLC/TD/C/P/02 indicates an online improvement of A316 at Richmond, dated 1965

Newspaper reports at Richmond Local History Service also dated 1965 show Richmond Council approved a bypass to the north of the town

Route, Richmond - Chiswick

GLC/TD/C/P/02 indicates an on-line upgrade of A316 from Manor Circus to Hogarth Roundabout

Local authority plans for Richmond bypass

Local authority change and rejection of bypass

GLC suggesting M3 to Chiswick until 1973

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A3

Route, Esher Bypass

Route, Kingston Bypass

Route, Robin Hood Gate - Wandsworth

Abercrombie considered A3 unsuitable as Parkway

Esher Bypass proposed as motorway

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Southern Radials

M23

Route, Redhill - Hooley

Route, Hooley - Streatham Vale

Route, Streatham Vale - Tooting Bec Common

London - Brighton Motorways planned 1906 and 1924

Proposed London - Crawley Motorway Consultant's Report, March 1964

Deletion of Streatham Vale - Tooting Bec Common section

Considered for number M2

MT 112/67

Terminus on "Tooting Bec - Tulse Hill Link"

Proposed London - Crawley Motorway Consultant's Report, March 1964

Plan formally cancelled in 1995

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SCRPDR (South Cross Route to Parkway D Radial)

Route, Brixton - Elmer's End

Proposed London - Crawley Motorway Consultant's Report, March 1964

T 319/1842 includes this section in the GLC map of Ringway 1

Route, Elmer's End - Addington

Proposed London - Crawley Motorway Consultant's Report, March 1964

Descended from Abercrombie's Parkway E

Parkway E name used in MT 106/413 and HLG 159/1373

Name 'South Cross Route to Parkway D Radial'

Name 'Hastings Radial'

Proposed London - Crawley Motorway Consultant's Report, March 1964

Described as going 'to Hastings' in GLC/TD/DP/LDS/02/097

Double-deck interchange with R2

HLG 159/2316

Line protected by GLC in 1964

Lambeth Council lobby for removal of protection

HLG 159/1373

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A20, M20 or A20(M)

Route, Kidbrooke - A208

HLG 159/1257

HLG 159/2508

Route, A208 - Swanley

Route, Swanley - Wrotham

Route, Swanley - Wrotham southern alternative

Junction layouts, Kidbrooke - A208

HLG 159/1257 has the whole 'Eltham box' including several alternative arrangements

Road in deep cutting next to A20

HLG 159/2508 shows cross-section in diagram

Use of number A20(M)

HLG 159/2508 uses A20(M) number extensively

Use of number M20

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A2, M2 or A2(M)

Route, Kidbrooke - Falconwood

HLG 159/1257 has plans matching as-built A2 through Eltham

Route, Falconwood - Dartford

Route, Dartford - Gravesend

A282 interchange intended as A2/R3 junction

Eltham section built in 1980s

Woolwich Borough Council objection to Eltham section

Use of number A2(M)

Roads in England 1973-74

Use of number M2

Use of number A102(M) for Dover Radial Route

Roads in England 1971-72