For some reason I would have liked to been born in this era. I know that today, living standards are much higher. We have internet, entertainment, ordering food online and all that, but sometimes I wish I didn't have it.
Here's two facts to dwell on: UK deaths on the road in 1959 were 6,970. In 2023 were 1,645 (a reduction of 76.4% despite a huge increase in traffic). Life expectancy in 1959 was 70.6 years. In 2015 it was 81.0 (people are now living on average over 10 years more than in 1959). There's no such thing as 'the good old days'.
Thanks for this excellent piece. Back in 1959, I lived right next to a section of the 'new' motorway construction works. It's true that they did work 'day and night' to get the job done. Plenty of locals were up in arms about the noise and disturbances. I can honestly say, I didn't find it a problem. Mind you, I was one year old at the time.
Cant imagine how much legal work must have gone on behind the scenes with regard to the purchasing of land and properties, prior to any work being carried out. How many farms were split in half and how many houses and factories had to be compulsory purchased ?
