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Groundworks for the motorway JLP01_08_051773
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Groundworks for the motorway JLP01_08_051773
An aerial view of construction vehicles carrying out excavation work for the construction of the London to Yorkshire Motorway (M1).
In this image, a 43 RB face shovel is loading a Euclid rear dump truck in the foreground. In the background, a 22 RB dragline is loading 5-ton lorries
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24349309
© Historic England Archive
1950s Construction Countryside Motorway Rural Landscape
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This aerial view captures the extensive groundwork being carried out for the construction of the iconic London to Yorkshire Motorway (M1) in the 1950s. The photo print, taken by A© Historic England Archive, showcases a bustling scene of construction vehicles transforming the rural landscape into a modern transportation network. In the foreground, we witness a remarkable sight as a powerful 43 RB face shovel diligently loads an enormous Euclid rear dump truck. The sheer scale of these machines highlights the magnitude of this ambitious project. Behind them, a towering 22 RB dragline is seen expertly loading smaller 5-ton lorries with precision and efficiency. The vastness of this construction site is emphasized by the expansive countryside and fields that stretch beyond our line of vision. It serves as a reminder that progress often requires altering nature's beauty to pave way for societal advancements. This image not only provides us with insight into one specific moment in history but also symbolizes human determination and innovation. As we gaze upon this photograph, we are reminded of how infrastructure projects like motorways shape our lives and connect communities across vast distances. Historic England has preserved this snapshot from an era when progress was measured in earth moved rather than data transferred – reminding us all how far we have come since those early days on which our modern transportation networks were built.
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