M65 Gildersome - Leeds Motorway

Where is it?

Well, not in Lancashire, as you might expect, but in Yorkshire.

Can you show me that on a map?

Certainly!

When was it built?

The first section was completed in 1973, with later sections in 1975.

What makes this a pathetic motorway?

It's a "lost" motorway.

Lost?

Yes, that's right.

Huh?

OK, when this motorway was originally planned, all motorways were given one or two digit numbers. This restriction was lifted sometime before the completion of the first section, when it was realised that the world would not come to a sudden and premature end, and that drivers could actually read "M" followed by three digits as happily as they could cope with "A" or "B" followed by four digits...

I see!

So, this motorway (being under the control of Leeds County Borough Council, as was), wasn't considered important enough to carry the two digit number, hadn't been opened, and had only appeared on a few maps, so it was a prime candidate for the change, which affected a couple of other motorways under construction at the time.

Hence, the M621 was born, planned to link the M62 with the M1 - clever numbering, eh?

The "more important" number was then left free for another motorway - one that was planned to be more important to the national scheme...

Can I comment on this motorway?

Of course! Contact me and I'll put them here!

Have any other visitors commented?

Bryn Buck:

Ah, the fabled M65 on the "wrong" side of the Pennines! Not quite the one I was expecting (although I have known about this one for a while, along with the A638(M) Bradford Spur which is now the M606!), but the M621 as it stands is hardly pathetic apart from the one lane section that was added when the M1 was rerouted in 1999, although the curvy nature of the ex M1 bit may make it one of the most nauseating motorway rides in the UK (no wonder it's all 50mph!)!

M65

Gildersome - Leeds Motorway

County:

Yorkshire

Length:

5 miles

8 km

Built:

1973-75

Status:

Lost

Map Links:

Might Have Been Map

Present Day Map