Images Dated 22nd November 2021

Percussion drilling rig JLP01_01_172_003

M6 Motorway, M6, Swynnerton, Stafford, Staffordshire. Two workers operating a percussion drilling rig during the construction of Section C of the Birmingham to Preston Motorway (M6), near Trentham Park.
The work on the Birmingham to Preston Motorway (M6), between junctions J13 to J16 started in June 1960 and was carried out by John Laing Construction Ltd. Section C was 5 miles in length between Beech and Keele. The typed caption below the photograph reads Two of the four percussion drilling rigs engaged on a full scale investigation to prove quantity and quality of aggregate available for cement stabilised granular base near Trentham Park

© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection

M6 construction Madeley Heath JLP01_01_165_76

M6 Motorway, M6, Madeley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. A view of the construction of the Birmingham to Preston Motorway (M6), looking south-east at Walton's Wood near Madeley Heath, showing excavation vehicles working beside a stream.
The work on the Birmingham to Preston Motorway (M6), between junctions J13 to J16 started in June 1960 and was carried out by John Laing Construction Ltd. This section at Walton's Wood presented geological problems for the construction team with an embankment failing when severe slipping occurred in 1961. By October 1963, remedial works on the embankment were completed. Water from the stream shown in the photograph was contained within a 1,000 foot long culvert and extensive drainage schemes were also constructed

© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection

M6 construction Madeley Heath JLP01_01_165_58

M6 Motorway, M6, Madeley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. A view of the construction of the Birmingham to Preston Motorway (M6), looking north-west at Walton's Wood near Madeley Heath, on Section D of the motorway, showing a Laing excavator at work in the foreground.
The work on the Birmingham to Preston Motorway (M6), between junctions J13 to J16 started in June 1960 and was carried out by John Laing Construction Ltd. This section at Walton's Wood presented geological problems for the construction team with an embankment failing when severe slipping occurred in 1961. By October 1963, remedial works on the embankment were completed. This photograph was published in June 1963 in Laing's monthly newsletter Team Spirit

© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection