Please post in this thread any roads that opened in the 1970s

From the Motorway Archive:

M5. Twyning to Tewkesbury (J8 to J9) Feb-70
A194(M). White Mare Pool to Black Fell Mar-70
A1(M). Birtley By-Pass Apr-70
M5. Gordano Valley (J19 to J20) Apr-70
M5. M6 to Quinton (J8(M6) to J3) May-70
M6. Rayhall to Bescott (J8 to J9) May-70
M12(NI). Portadown Urban Motorway Jun-70
A40(M)/M41. Westway and West Cross Route Jul-70
M32. Hambrook to Eastville (J1 to J2) Jul-70
M6. Great Barr to Rayhall (J7 to J8) Jul-70
M90. Crossgates - Kelty and Cowdenbeath Bypass Stage II (J3 to J5) Jul-70
M6. Westmorland (J35 to J40) Oct-70
M62. Pole Moor to Outlane (West of J23 to J23) Nov-70
M9. Newbridge - Kirkliston and Forth Bridge Connecting Roads Nov-70
M6. Carlisle By-pass (J42 to J44) Dec-70
M61. Worsley Braided Interchange to Horwich Dec-70
M8. Bishopton Bypass Stage I (J29 - J30) Dec-70
M8. Glasgow IRR West and North Flanks - Kingston Bridge (J19 - J20) ? 70
M2(NI). Templepatrick to Dunsilly Feb-71
M6. Maxstoke to Bromford (J4 to J5) Feb-71
M62. Gildersome to Lofthouse (J27 to J29) Feb-71
M5. Gloucester - Moreton Valence (J9 to J13) Mar-71
M9. Stirling Bypass Stage I (J10 to J11) Apr-71
M8. Newbridge - Dechmont (J2 to J3) May-71
M3. Lightwater to Popham (J3 to J8) Jun-71
M6. Ansty to Maxstoke(J2 to J4) Jul-71
M6. Penrith to Carlisle (J41 to J42) Jul-71
M22(NI). Dunsilly to Ballygrooby (J1 to J2) Aug-71
M56. Preston Brook to Hapsford (J11 to J14) Sep-71
M6. Bromford to Gravelly Hill (J5 to J6) Nov-71
M6. M1 at Catthorpe to Ansty to (J1 to J2) Nov-71
M602. Eccles By-pass Nov-71
M62. Boundary to Pole Moor (J22 to West of J23) Nov-71
M62. Eccles to County Boundary (J12 to J22) Nov-71
M20. Ditton By-pass (J4 to J5) Dec-71
M4. Wickham to Tormarton (J14 to J18) Dec-71
M4. Winnersh to Wickham (J10 to J14) Dec-71
M5. Michael Wood and Alveston Sections (J13 to J15) Dec-71
M4. Holyport to Winnersh (J9 to J10) ? 71
M8. Glasgow IRR West and North Flanks - Woodside (J16 - J17) ? 71
A627(M) Rochdale to Oldham Motorway Jan-72
M56. Wythenshawe to Bowdon (J1 to J7) Jan-72
M53. Mersey tunnel to Hooton (J1 to J5) Feb-72
M57. Liverpool Outer Ring Road. Phase 1 (A59 to A580) Apr-72
M73. Maryville - West of Mollinsburn Apr-72
A38(M). Aston Expressway May-72
M6. Gravelly Hill to Great Bar (J6 to J7) May-72
M90. Kinross and Milnathort Bypass (J5 to J8) May-72
M18. Hatfield to Thorne (Thorne By-pass) (J5 to J6) Jun-72
M606. A6177 to Cleckheaton Road Sep-72
M621. Leeds South Eastern Urban Motorway (J3 to J7) Dec-72
M9. Newbridge-Lathallan (M8(J2) to J4) Dec-72
M4. Morriston by-pass (J44 to J46) ? 72
M62. Ainley Top to Chain Bar (J24 to J26) ? 72
M62. Outlane to Ainley Top (J23 to J24) ? 72
M8. Glasgow IRR West and North Flanks - Charing Cross (J18 - J19) ? 72
M8. Glasgow IRR Woodside - Charing Cross (J17 - J18) ? 72
M22(NI). Ballygrooby to Artresnahan (J2 to end) Jan-73
M5. Clevedon and Mendip Hills Sections (J20 to J22) Jan-73
A329(M). Reading - Wokingham link Feb-73
A1(M). Stanborough to Welwyn (J4 to J6) May-73
M2(NI). Belfast to Greencastle May-73
M606. Cleckheaton Road to Chain Bar (J26) May-73
M62. Chain Bar to Gildersome (J26 to J27) May-73
M40. Denham to Wycombe End (J1 to West of J2) Aug-73
M5. Highbridge By-Pass (J22 to J23) Aug-73
M62. Tarbock to Croft (J6 to J10) Nov-73
M621. Gildersome Street to Beeston (J27(M62)) to J1 Nov-73
M5. Bridgwater By-pass (J23 to J24) Dec-73
A102(M). Hackney Link ? 73
M40. Stokenchurch to Waterstock (J5 to J8a) Mar-74
M57. Liverpool Outer Ring Road. Phase 2 (A580 to M62) Mar-74
M62. Hopetown to Ferrybridge (J31 to J33) Mar-74
M5. Taunton By-Pass (J25 to J26) Apr-74
M62. Risley to Worsley (J10 to J12) Apr-74
M5. Avonmouth Bridge (J18 to J19) May-74
M80. Haggs-Pirnhall May-74
M9. Stirling Bypass Stage II (J9 to J10) May-74
M3. Sunbury to Lightwater (J1 to J3) Jul-74
M62. Lofthouse to Hopetown (J29 to J31) Aug-74
M63. Sale Eastern and Northenden By-pass (M60 J4 to J7) Sep-74
M62. Ferrybridge to Pollington (J33 to East of J34) Oct-74
M23. Hooley to Mertsham (J7 to J8) Dec-74
M56. Bowdon to M6 (J7 to J9) Dec-74
M62. Rawcliffe to Goole (J35 to J36) Mar-75
M32. Eastville to Ashley Street (J2 to J3) May-75
M63. Sharston By-pass (M60 J2 to J4) May-75
M8. Monkland Motorway Stage 1 (J12 - J15) May-75
M11. S Harlow to A120 (J7 to J8) Jun-75
M18. Thorne to East Cowick (J6 to J7) Jun-75
M53. (M531) Hooton to A5117 (J5 to J10) Jun-75
M62. Pollington to Rawcliffe (East of J34 to J35) Jun-75
M55 The Preston Northern By-pass Jul-75
M56. M6 to Preston Brook (J9 to J11) Jul-75
M27. Cadnam to Ower (J1 to J2) Aug-75
M66. Bury Easterly By-pass - Southern section (J3 to J19(M60)) Aug-75
M2(NI). Sandyknowes to Templepatrick Sep-75
M25. South Mimms to Potters Bar (J23 to J24) Sep-75
M5. Killerton and Sowton Sections (J27 to J30) Oct-75
M23. Bletchingley to Pease Pottage (J8 to J11) Nov-75
M23. Gatwick Link (J9 to J9A) Nov-75
M5. North Petherton By-Pass (J24 to J25) Nov-75
M8. Bishopton Bypass Stage II (J30 to J31) Nov-75
M27. Ower to Chilworth (J2 to 4) Dec-75
M271. Nursling Link Dec-75
M54. Forge to Cluddley (J5 to J7) Dec-75
A167(M). Newcastle Central Motorway East ? 75
A58(M)/A64(M). Leeds Inner Ring Motorway ? 75
M621. Leeds South Western Urban Motorway (J1 to J3) ? 75
M25. Godstone to Reigate (J6 to J8) Feb-76
M25. Maple Cross to Hunton Bridge (J17 to J19) Feb-76
M27. Windover to Portbridge (J8 to J12) Mar-76
M275. Portsmouth Link Mar-76
M62.Goole to North Cave (inc Ouse Bridge) (J36 to J38) May-76
M5. Chelston to Willand (J26 to J27) Oct-76
M42. Solihull Section (J4 to J8) Nov-76
M62. Queens Drive to Tarbock (J4 to J6) Nov-76
M69. Leicester section (J2 to M1) Nov-76
M25. Thorpe to Egham (J12 to J13) Dec-76
M90. Arlary (J8) to Arngask Mar-77
M11. Redbridge to S Harlow (J4 to J7) Apr-77
M25. Dartford to Swanley (J2 to J3) Apr-77
M4. Pontardulais by-pass (J46 to J49) Apr-77
M20. Swanley to West Kingsdown (J1 to J2) May-77
M5. Exminster Section (J30 to J31) May-77
M1. N Circular Road to Page Street (J1 to J2) Jul-77
M18. Armthorpe to Hatfield (J4 to J5) Jul-77
M69. Coventry section (M6 to J2) Jul-77
M180. Brigg By-pass (J4 to J5) Sep-77
M4. Tredegar Park-St Mellons (J28 to J29A(A48(M)) Oct-77
M77. M8 to Dumbreck Road (M8 to J1) Oct-77
M8. Renfrew Motorway (J20 - J26) Oct-77
M4. Pyle by-pass (E of J37(A48) to J39) Nov-77
M4. Coryton-Pencoed (J32 to J35) Dec-77
M90. Muirmont to Craigend (J9 to J10) Dec-77
M58. Regional Road upgraded to Motorway (J4 to M6) ? 77
M27. Hedge End to Windover (J7 to J8) Feb-78
M67. Hyde By-pass (J2 to J4) Mar-78
M180. Thorne to Sandtoft (J1 to J2) May-78
M66. Bury Easterly By-pass - Northern section (A676 to J3) May-78
M90. Craigend to A90 (J10 to J11) May-78
M90. Craigend to Broxden (J10 to A9) May-78
M180. Sandtoft (J2) to Trent Oct-78
M180. The Scunthorpe Southern By-pass (J3 to J4) Nov-78
M180. Trent to Scunthorpe (J3) including M181 Dec-78
M18. Wadworth to Armthorpe (J2 to J4) Feb-79
A(1)M. South Mimms to Roestock (J1 to J2) May-79
M8. Monkland Motorway Stage 2A (J11 - J12) Jun-79
A3(M). Horndean to Bedhampton Nov-79
M11. A120 to Stump Cross (J8 to J9) Nov-79
M25. Sundridge Road to Godstone (J5 to J6) Nov-79

Simon

I think it is 1975. The road was shown on the oringail OS 1:50,000 (Map 177) as under contruction and as A-Class.

A30 Bridestowe bp. March 1 1976 1pm. Now old A30.
A30 Launceston bp. March 31 1976 11am
A30 Bodmin bp. Dec 20 1976
A30 Alphington - Woodleigh. May 1978
A30 Woodleigh - Whiddon Down June 28 1978
A303 Wincanton bp - March 1977

This date is quoted in both the M/Way Archive and in the Charlesworth textbook, but I don' t think it can be right. All the onward routes from Merstham Interchange (M23 South & M25 East & West) weren't opened until 11 months later - at the earliest. There is no evidence to suggest a temporary exit, and the height of the A25 above the M23 just south of Merstham i/change makes it impossible there.
I reckon it was physically/contractually complete in Dec-74 but didn't open to traffic until the rest of the M23 did in Nov-75.



Tony

1972: The 2nd Dartford By-Pass opened. The old A2 from Bean to the A2018 is renumbered A296 to the B260, A225 from M25 J1b-A225, The B2174 on the By-pass to the A2018, the A2018 takes up remainder. The snub becomes the road the locals use to go to the tip.

1974 - A47 Duddington and Tixover Bypass
Also 1974 - A427 Cottingham Realignment, Wilbarston and Stoke Albany bypasses

1974 - A40 Witney bypass

Summer 1979 - A49 Ludlow Bypass, costing £4m.

1976 Soho Way, Smethwick

Opened as unclassified D2 surreally going from unclassified S1 to unclassified S1 a quarter mile away. Became central piece of A457 Smethwick by-pass in the 1980s.

1970: A59 Clitheroe-Whalley Bypasses
1972: Greyhound Bridge Road, Lancaster city centre

A30 now A303 Popham Beacons -M3 dualling 1971
A303 Petherton Bridge - South Petherton Dualling 1972
A303 Wylye Bypass 1975
A303 Ilchester Bypass 1976-7
A303 Mere Bypass september 1976
A303 Wincanton Bypass 1977

A325 Frimley bypass - 1978

1976: A2 Boughton & Dunkirk Bypass

1976: A2 Bridge Bypass

1976: A3 Esher Bypass

1977: A2 Jubilee Way (Dover Bypass)

1977: A2 (now A2050) Harbledown Bypass

From desusstions of the A13 in Essex, the Pitsea By-Pass I belivie to have now opened cira 1975-78.

Thanks, interesting - this was a few years after the M13 was officially shelved for good

1976 Halesowen to Bromsgrove A459 downgraded to B4551

1974: A74 Cumberland Gap to Metal Bridge opens
1976: A74 Grenta Green By-Pass

1971: A21 Tonbridge By-Pass
circa 1979: IRL renumbering completed.

Thanks for starting Cumbria off, here are more Cumbrian road projects from the seventies:
1970, M6 Penrith- Carlisle
A66, Penrith southern by pass
1972, M6 Penrith- Kendal
1974, A595 Carlisle central by pass
1975, A591 Kendal- M6 link
1976, A66 Brough by pass
A66 Keswick by pass
1977, A66 Bassenthwaite dualling
A66 Bridgefoot- Brigham- Cockermouth- Embleton by pass.