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- Nov 25, 2019
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Established 90 years ago and officially opened in 1966 with a view of improving and modernising motoring, the site's long straight roads, sweeping banked corners, traffic signs and experimental junctions helped determine the UK's road network.
The land was used for vehicle testing, research and innovative developments, such as the mini-roundabout, the zebra crossing and the Green Cross Code. Videos from the time also suggest initial self-driving cars were tested on the roads.
The facility features a huge circular area that was used as a make-shift roundabout to test traffic efficiency, as well as a short section of test track designed for speeds of up to 155 mph.
An on-site duel carriageway even had a bunker running underneath it that was used to record or photograph tyres being driven at speed to analyse tread wear.
Towering over the site is a creepy observation tower which overlooks the facility and was likely used to study various experiments from afar.
In the 1990s the site's organisation was privatised and much of the site was used for vehicle safety and crash testing for manufacturers.
In 2012, the local council redeveloped the area, with over 1,000 houses constructed on a large portion of the site - while the rest remains dis-used and overgrown.
The land was used for vehicle testing, research and innovative developments, such as the mini-roundabout, the zebra crossing and the Green Cross Code. Videos from the time also suggest initial self-driving cars were tested on the roads.
The facility features a huge circular area that was used as a make-shift roundabout to test traffic efficiency, as well as a short section of test track designed for speeds of up to 155 mph.
An on-site duel carriageway even had a bunker running underneath it that was used to record or photograph tyres being driven at speed to analyse tread wear.
Towering over the site is a creepy observation tower which overlooks the facility and was likely used to study various experiments from afar.
In the 1990s the site's organisation was privatised and much of the site was used for vehicle safety and crash testing for manufacturers.
In 2012, the local council redeveloped the area, with over 1,000 houses constructed on a large portion of the site - while the rest remains dis-used and overgrown.
