West Midlands Map Scans
From 1947 to 1987
Beware - clicking on the images will take you to detailed scans, which have large file sizes
Extract from Barts 1947 edition.
Only some roads are numbered
Extract from Barts 1956 edition.
In this edition all single digit A roads are shown in the line type which was subsequently used for dual carriageways - hence the A5 appears to be a much grander road than it was at that time. Since the 1947 edition, B roads are now coloured differently, and most roads are showing their number.
Extract from Barts 1964 edition.
Again, all single digit A roads are shown in the line type which was subsequently used for dual carriageways. In this extract, we see the dawn of the motorway era. The M5 is complete south of junction 4 (labelled here as Lydiate Ash), and though you can't see it, the M6 is already marching south from Stafford. You can also see the M5 marked as Under Construction north of junction 4.
Extract from Barts 1965 edition.
Only a year since the last extract, but the motorways are growing. The M5 and M6 are heading towards each other. Now that we have a more conventional line type for dual carriageways, we can see the beginnings of a dual carriageway network in the area.
Extract from Barts 1969 edition.
Although the copyright date on the map says 1969, the label on the M6 east of the M5 interchange says that the M6 opens in 1971. What we can see from this map is that the M5 and M6 are now linked. Frankley and Hilton Park Service Areas are now shown.
Extract from Barts 1973 edition.
In four years there has been a lot of change, and there is an increasing degree of familiarity about things. The M6 Midlands Link section is now open, including Spaghetti Junction and the A38(M). Another curiosity, (which I think is a mapping error), there appears to be and extra junction at junction 7. Looking back at the 1969 map - was there ever a temporary terminus here?
Note also that the A38 now bypasses Lichfield.
Extract from Barts 1976 edition.
By 1976, the M42 is under construction between the A34 and M6. There is also a line indicated for the M42 to the south of Birmingham, and for the northern extension towards Tamworth, as well as the M40 towards Warwick. Note that the alignment of the northern link of the M42 at the junction with the M5 is not that which was eventually built. Similarly, the M40 alignment is different.
The A38 dual carriageway has now been extended south from Lichfield and nearly reaches the M6.
Extract from Collins 1979 edition.
Onto 1979 and a change in the mapping. Sorry about the quality of this extract - I couldn't get the page to sit flat on the scanner.
The southern leg of the M42 is not shown on this map, but the northern extension is. Note also the Under Construction M54.
Extract from AA 1981 edition.
Onto 1981, and another change in the mapping. Consequently, we have lost the northern extension of the M42 and the M54.
Extract from AA 1987 edition.
In six years, there is a lot of change. The elusive M54 and M42 sections that may or may not have been under construction in the earlier extracts are now shown as complete and open. The M40 has reappeared, this time on a line that is closer to that which was built. There are no links between M42 and M5 north - as far as I recall, these didn't appear until 1990 ish.
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