74-560: The River Tale is a small river that drains the southern slopes of the Blackdown Hills , in Devon , England. It is a tributary of the River Otter and 8.8 miles (14.2 km) in length. Its name is derived from getæl ( Old English ) meaning "quick, active or swift"; however, the river is noted as being "sluggish". One theory is that its name was transferred from Tala Water, a tributary of
148-548: A dual two-lane motorway would be built at a cost of around £8 million. The Motorways Archive also records that the carriageways were also built to a lower overall width of 88 feet (27 m) rather than 100 feet (30 m) to reduce the loss of agricultural land. When the decision became necessary to widen the Worcestershire section of M5, it cost £123 million. The 2-mile (3.2 km) dual two-lane section between junctions 16 and 17 built at Filton , near Bristol,
222-528: A height of 1.72 metres (5 ft 8 in) through the gauge, giving a corresponding flow of 19.56 cubic metres per second (691 cu ft/s). The catchment upstream of the station has an average annual rainfall of 921 millimetres (36.3 in) and a maximum altitude of 283 metres (928 ft) at North Hill. Land use is primarily agricultural arable and grassland. The river has a natural flow regime, unaffected by direct artificial influences. The River Tale has been classed as having moderate quality under
296-409: A large proportion of rain falls from showers and thunderstorms at this time of year. Average rainfall is around 35–60 inches (890–1,520 mm). About 10–20 days of snowfall is typical. From November to March, mean wind speeds are highest; winds are lightest from June to August. The predominant wind direction is from the south-west. There are 16 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in
370-706: A network of minor roads. There are several major roads including the A30 , A303 and A35 . The M5 motorway is at the northwestern boundary of the AONB. The Bristol to Exeter line and the remains of the Grand Western Canal run, quite close in places, to the west of the M5 motorway but do not pass through the Blackdown Hills. The West of England Main Line passes through the southern part of
444-572: A parish church was built on a part of the site. Some surviving fragments of monastery include the partial end wall of the cellarers range and parts of a gatehouse. Some carved fragments survive within the Victorian era church. The Church of St Peter in Staple Fitzpaine was originally built in the Norman style, and has a Norman doorway reset in the south aisle. The chancel dates from the 14th century;
518-567: A role in telling the industrial history of the area. The Wellington Monument is located on Wellington Hill at grid reference ST137171 , 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Wellington , Somerset . It was erected to celebrate the Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo . The foundation stone was laid in 1817, on land belonging to the Duke, but the monument was not completed until 1854. Its design
592-460: A sparsely populated area; much of the land is used for dairy farming . The River Culm rises at a spring ( grid reference ST2205016050 ) near Culmhead and flows west through Hemyock , then Culmstock to Uffculme before joining the River Exe on the north-western outskirts of Exeter . The name of the river is thought to mean 'knot' or 'tie', in reference to the river's twists and loops; or
666-442: A typical invertebrate fauna , including a wide variety of butterfly species, and with spiders notably abundant. The site is regionally important for birds which favour heathland habitats. Quants , a grassland clearing in a forestry plantation well known for its butterflies including Duke of Burgundy , marsh fritillary and wood white , is a candidate for Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). These are designated under
740-470: Is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle on the site of an earlier hill fort near Staple Fitzpaine . The hill rises to 260 metres (853 ft) on the northern escarpment of the Blackdown Hills. The castle was probably built by Robert of Mortain in the 11th century and probably went out of use in the 12th century. Around the crossroads at Staple Fitzpaine there are several large sandstone boulders. They are called devilstones and are said to have been thrown by
814-893: Is a motorway in England linking the Midlands with the South West . It runs from junction 8 of the M6 at West Bromwich near Birmingham to Exeter in Devon . Heading south-west, the M5 runs east of West Bromwich and west of Birmingham through Sandwell Valley . It continues past Bromsgrove (and from Birmingham and Bromsgrove is part of the Birmingham Motorway Box), Droitwich Spa , Worcester , Tewkesbury , Cheltenham , Gloucester , Bristol , Portishead , Clevedon , Weston-super-Mare , Bridgwater , Taunton , Tiverton , Cullompton terminating at junction 31 for Exeter. The M5 quite closely follows
SECTION 10
#1733092691973888-575: Is buried at Wolford Chapel near Dunkeswell . The chapel is now owned by the Province of Ontario . Early attempts were made by Charles I to enclose parts of the Blackdowns in the 1630s however this was opposed by the local lord and the commoners. He managed to enclose 1.634 acres (6,610 m ) and soon sold these, but many of the hedges and fences were removed during the English Civil War . This
962-616: Is crossed by the A30 until it joins the River Otter at Cadhay near Ottery St Mary . Since 1978 the river levels and flows of the Tale have been measured in its lower reaches near Fairmile. The thirty-six year record shows that the catchment of 34 square kilometres (13 sq mi) to the gauging station yielded an average flow of 0.44 cubic metres per second (16 cu ft/s). The highest river level recorded occurred in December 1981 with
1036-638: Is derived from a Celtic river-name meaning winding stream . The River Otter rises near Otterford , where a stream feeds the Otterhead lakes: ( ST225152 ). It then flows south for 32 kilometres (20 mi) through East Devon to the English Channel at the western end of Lyme Bay . The Permian and Triassic sandstone aquifer in the Otter Valley is one of Devon's largest groundwater sources, supplying drinking water to Taunton . The other rivers are
1110-451: Is now a busy civilian airfield with a mix of light aircraft , microlights and parachuting . The Blackdown Hills AONB is unique in that there are no towns or cities within its boundary. Employment opportunities are concentrated in the surrounding towns and in a number of small-scale industrial parks — notably around Dunkeswell airfield. A resurgence of interest in local and sustainable food production has led to significant growth in
1184-659: Is the coldest month with mean minimum temperatures between 1 °C (34 °F) and 2 °C (36 °F). July and August are the warmest months, with mean daily maxima around 21 °C (70 °F). December is normally the most cloudy month and June the sunniest. High pressure over the Azores often brings clear skies to south-west England, particularly in summer. The average annual sunshine totals around 1,600 hours. Rainfall tends to be associated with Atlantic depressions or with convection. In summer, convection caused by solar surface heating sometimes forms shower clouds, and
1258-543: The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 . In total they cover 640 hectares (1,600 acres), or just under 2% of the AONB. Of these SSSIs, 79% were deemed by Natural England's predecessor body, English Nature to be being positively managed. The grasslands, heathland, meadows and mire support extensive populations of birds such as barn owls ( Tyto alba ) and nightjar , with butterflies including marbled white ( Melanargia galathea ), green hairstreak ( Callophrys rubi ) and
1332-419: The English Civil War it was held for Parliament , subjected to a brief but brutal siege and eventually slighted to destroy its military value. Parts of the castle walls, towers and moat still remain. They are a scheduled ancient monument and include displays of history and archaeology. The castle was also owned by General Sir John Graves Simcoe the first lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada in 1792. He
1406-648: The European Commission Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) as internationally important habitats. Paleoenvironmental studies have shown that organic material began to accumulate on the Blackdown Hills in the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods with areas of open meadow, grass land with small woodland components being identified. There are several Bronze Age burial sites including Robin Hood's Butts near Otterford . Notable archaeological sites include
1480-547: The Iron Age hill forts at Membury Castle , Hembury and Castle Neroche . Hembury is a Neolithic causewayed enclosure near Honiton . It dates to the late fifth and early fourth millennia BC and is believed to have been the capital of the Dumnonii tribe. The fort is situated on a promontory to the north of and overlooking the River Otter, Devon at approx 178 m (584 ft) above sea level. It has given its name to some of
1554-614: The M5 motorway running around the periphery. The Blackdowns form a natural region that has been designated as a national character area - No. 147 - by Natural England , the public body responsible for England's natural environment. Neighbouring natural regions are: the Devon Redlands to the west, the Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes to the north, the Mid Somerset Hills to the northeast,
SECTION 20
#17330926919731628-563: The Middle Ages . At Simonsburrow a battle between the native Britons and King Ine 's Saxon army, put an end (temporarily) to the Kings expansion to the west. In 710, Ine and Nothhelm fought against Geraint of Dumnonia , according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle ; John of Worcester states that Geraint was killed in this battle. Ine's advance brought him control of what is now Devon ,
1702-534: The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 . However, National Parks, unlike AONBs, have their own authorities and have special legal powers to prevent unsympathetic development. By contrast, there are very limited statutory duties imposed on local authorities within an AONB. Further regulation and protection of AONBs was added by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 . The total population of
1776-567: The River Yarty and the Corry Brook . Villages in the northern, Somerset part of the hills include Staple Fitzpaine , Buckland St Mary , Whitestaunton , Wambrook and Churchstanton . The larger, more southerly area in Devon includes Dunkeswell , Luppitt , Upottery , Smeatharpe , Hemyock , Blackborough , Yarcombe , Membury , Stockland , Sheldon , Cotleigh and Chardstock . The geology of
1850-581: The Water Framework Directive . This is the middle band in the five-part framework scale, which ranges from high, good, and moderate, through to poor and finally bad. The chemical quality, however, was considered good in 2014. Due to a number of factors, such as the loss of their natural habitat and predation by the non-native American mink ( Neovison vison ), water voles ( Arvicola amphibius ) were considered extinct in Devon’s rivers by 2000. In 2004,
1924-681: The Yeovil Scarplands to the east and the Marshwood and Powerstock Vales to the southeast. Straddling the border of Somerset and Devon, the Blackdown Hills AONB covers an area of 370 square kilometres (143 sq mi). The hills reach their highest point of 315 metres (1,033 ft) above sea level at Staple Hill in Somerset. The hills in the southern part of the area, near Honiton in Devon, are more gentle. The Blackdown Hills are
1998-643: The gatekeeper butterfly ( Pyronia tithonus ). The flora includes the heath spotted-orchid ( Dactylorhiza maculata ), corky fruited water dropwort ( Oenanthe pimpinelloides ), green-winged orchid ( Anacamptis morio ), heather ( Calluna vulgaris ), lousewort ( Pedicularis sylvatica ) and bird's-foot trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus ). The hedgerows and woodlands are made up of ash , hazel ( Corylus avellana ), grey willow ( Salix cinerea ) and pedunculate oak ( Quercus robur ) which support populations of hazel dormouse ( Muscardinus avellanarius ), common lizards , siskin , stinking iris ( Iris foetidissima ) and
2072-507: The purple hairstreak butterfly ( Neozephyrus quercus ). The rivers and streams are home to kingfisher , otter and the Daubenton's bat . Blackdown and Sampford Commons have extensive surviving examples of the heathland , carr woodland and marshy grassland habitats that have developed on the acidic soils overlying the Greensand and Keuper Marls of the Blackdown Hills. The heathland supports
2146-535: The Blackdown Hills AONB in 2001 was 13,300; of which 10,500 live in Devon and 2,800 within Somerset. Many of the villages have their own parish councils which have some responsibility for local issues. The Blackdown Hills AONB is managed by a partnership of public bodies, local organisations and voluntary groups with an active interest in the hills. Funding is provided by Devon and Somerset County Councils, East Devon , Mid Devon , South Somerset and Taunton Deane Councils and Natural England . The AONB straddles
2220-415: The Blackdown Hills ranging from the 156-hectare (390-acre) Black Down and Sampford Commons to Reed Farm pit at just less than 1-hectare (2.5-acre). This British conservation designation is administered in England by Natural England for areas with significant ecological characteristics deemed worthy of protection from inappropriate development or from other damage, and (since 2000) from neglect, under
2294-447: The Blackdown Hills together with the adjoining East Devon AONB is unique in south-west England, forming part of the only extensive outcrop of Upper Greensand in the region. The Blackdown Hills form a flat plateau dominated by hard chert bands, made up of clay with flints, of Upper Greensand with some remnants of chalk . The Cretaceous rocks rest over eroded Jurassic and Triassic beds, with an outcrop of Rhaetian beds. In
River Tale - Misplaced Pages Continue
2368-519: The Devil from Castle Neroche . According to legend if you prick them with a pin they draw blood. English word 'Stapol' means pillar or post and it is thought likely that this gave the village the first part of its name. The second part of the name comes from the Fitzpaine family who owned the manor between 1233 and 1393. A Roman bath house and Edwardian folly in the village of Whitestaunton were excavated by
2442-652: The M1) south of Birmingham or the spur from it to Birmingham (now part of the M6), and that the Birmingham to Bristol motorway, now the M5, could be the M38. However, by 1959, the name M5 for the Birmingham to Bristol motorway had been agreed. Rather than take its number from the sector radiating from London, as would be the case for a non-motorway road, it formed (along with the Bristol Channel and
2516-513: The M5 ascends the hillsides above the Gordano Valley , between Portishead , junction 19 and Clevedon , junction 20. Between junction 21, Weston-super-Mare and junction 22, Burnham-on-Sea , the M5 passes by an isolated landmark hill called Brent Knoll and crosses the western end of the Mendip Hills . The Willow Man sculpture is visible from both carriageways, and acts as a landmark just to
2590-556: The M5 is a large four-level stack interchange , named the Almondsbury Interchange , where the M5 meets the M4 . The Avonmouth Bridge , between junctions 18 and 19, is often a bottleneck during heavy traffic periods, due mainly to lane drops at either end of the bridge for the respective junctions, and the sharp angle in the centre of the bridge, which causes larger vehicles to slow considerably. There are split-level carriageways where
2664-427: The M5, from junctions 4 to 8, was widened to provide six lanes in the early 1990s. During this work, the northbound Strensham services were rebuilt further away from the modified M50 junction. Worcestershire County Council, the police and particularly the county surveyor of Worcestershire made repeated representations that a dual three-lane standard motorway was appropriate. The Ministry of Transport insisted that
2738-590: The M6 motorway, was constructed as an elevated dual three-lane motorway over Birmingham Canal (Old Main Line) , Birmingham Canal (New Main Line) , and Titford Pool using concrete pillars. The M5 was also extended southwards, in sections, from 1967 to 1977, through Gloucestershire and Somerset, to Exeter in Devon as a dual three-lane motorway, together with the Strensham services. The section from Huntworth (J24) to Blackbrook, on
2812-422: The M6) the boundary of a new numbering sector for motorways. Junction 1 surrounds a surviving gatehouse from the former Sandwell Hall . The section from junctions 16 and 18 was illuminated in about 1973 as part of a wider policy announced by Minister for Transport Industries, John Peyton , in 1972 to illuminate the 86 miles (138 km) of UK motorway particularly prone to fog. In the late 1980s, junction 4a
2886-537: The Second World War. According to local legend, the Holman Clavel Inn is the home of a hearth spirit called Chimbley Charlie. The Blackdown Hills have, since 1991, been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). As they have the same landscape quality, AONBs may be compared to the national parks of England and Wales . AONBs are created under the same legislation as the national parks :
2960-443: The Tale was chosen as a site for the reintroduction of this endangered species, because the river corridor had been restored as part of a project to improve the habitat and water quality of the river. This included fencing the river to prevent cattle damaging the bankside vegetation, and trapping mink. Following the improvements, there have been increases in the number of fish, and evidence that otters ( Lutra lutra ), have recolonised
3034-481: The affected sections of slopes. Along with the rest of south-west England, the Blackdown Hills have a temperate climate that is generally wetter and milder than the rest of England . The mean temperature is approximately 10 °C (50 °F) and shows a seasonal and a diurnal variation, but because of the modifying effect of the sea the range is less than in most other parts of the United Kingdom . January
River Tale - Misplaced Pages Continue
3108-547: The archaeological television programme Time Team . There is also evidence of iron workings in the Romano-British period, at Dunkeswell, which radiocarbon dating has placed in the 2nd century. It has been suggested that these and other iron-based technologies gave the hills a fairly industrial landscape during the Romano-British period, providing a source of the name Blackdown Hills. Local iron ores were smelted at Hemyock in small bloomeries (furnaces) to produce pure iron until
3182-401: The borders of three parliamentary constituencies: Honiton and Sidmouth , Taunton and Wellington and Yeovil . Dunkeswell Abbey , a Cistercian monastery and offshoot of Forde Abbey , was founded in 1201 by William Briwere . The abbey was closed in 1539 and granted to Lord Russell. It was mostly demolished promptly, though a section remained in domestic use until the 19th century. In 1842,
3256-542: The closure of Plymouth City Airport in 2011, and the 2014 breaching of the South Devon Railway sea wall following storms that in turn, cut off Plymouth and Cornwall's rail access. However this would involve a number of reconstruction works including realignment where the current route of the A38 follows tight bends. Improvements to junction 25 at Taunton were approved with an £18 million programme that will include
3330-507: The commercial contract, and some construction subcontractors had entered into liquidation. The short section between junctions 27 and 29 was built between 1967 and 1969, by Devon County Council , as the A38 Cullompton Bypass , with the intention that it should become part of the M5. The termini for this section have since been removed, although part of the southern terminal roundabout is now used as an emergency access. The section
3404-441: The designation of 16 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). There is evidence of human occupation since the Iron Age . Fortifications include the remains of ancient hill forts , Norman motte-and-bailey castles and Second World War airfields. There are also religious buildings such as Dunkeswell Abbey and village churches. The hills are crossed by a network of minor roads with major transport routes including
3478-598: The earliest Neolithic pottery in southern Britain . An Iron Age hill fort was later built on the same site. There has been archaeological evidence found on the site of Roman military occupation, suggesting a fort within the existing Iron Age site. It is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument . Fourteen hill slope enclosures, dating from the Iron Age have been identified on the Blackdown Hills, and prehistoric remains, from about 100 BC, have been found in Hemyock . Castle Neroche
3552-491: The east of Taunton, (J25) was built by A. Monk Ltd, of Padgate , with a contract for £5,721,086 in May 1973 for seven miles. The southbound lane opened on Tuesday 4 November 1975, and the northbound lane opened on Tuesday 25 November 1975. But the motorway section was not legally a motorway for the first few weeks, as it was incomplete. The northbound lane was not fully finished until Easter 1976. Monk Ltd had asked for two extensions to
3626-442: The enlargement of the junction roundabout, the widening of the eastern junction slip road exit, and an additional roundabout southeast of the junction to provide access to a new business park and to a proposed bypass of the hamlet of Henlade . In October 2009, workmen clearing vegetation from the slip road at junction 14 discovered human bones in a black bin bag dumped in the bushes . The police were called soon after, and it
3700-498: The hills between Axminster and Honiton, including a tunnel section east of Honiton. The Culm Valley Light Railway opened in 1876, having been built by local enterprise. The line was purchased by the Great Western Railway , which had operated it from the start, in 1880. The line closed to passengers in 1963 but served the milk depot at Hemyock until its closure in 1975. Dunkeswell Aerodrome ( IATA : N/A , ICAO : EGTU )
3774-606: The interchange full-access and dualling the A4019 east of the junction into Cheltenham. Works will commence in 2023 (subject to permission being granted) and be completed in 2024, according to the Gloucestershire County Council. There have been suggestions that the Government extend the M5 south, to the city of Plymouth , which currently relies on the A38 road. The argument for such an extension has intensified in light of
SECTION 50
#17330926919733848-573: The junction. In 2009, it was announced that the lighting between junctions 30 and 31 would be turned off between midnight and 05:00 to save energy. Proposals were announced in September 2009 for a new Gloucester Services between junctions 11a and 12. A planning application was submitted in December 2009. Stroud District councillors approved the services in August 2010. The Services opened in May 2014 In September 2020, Highways England announced that
3922-413: The motorway. The Cullompton services are signed on the motorway in the northbound direction only. This was implemented to reduce congestion at the low capacity junction, although there is still access available to the services southbound through the junction. Also, the northbound exit slip to the junction was reduced to one lane instead of two to reduce traffic on the small roundabout at the west side of
3996-465: The nearby River Tamar . The river is the site of ongoing efforts to reintroduce the water vole , which is thought to be extinct in Devon. The river rises on the southern flanks of the Blackdown Hills, beneath North Hill, and flows southwest through the village of Broadhembury and beneath the A373. It then turns south and passes alongside the grounds of Escot House before flowing through Fairmile where it
4070-562: The new border with Dumnonia being the river Tamar . Just to the north of Culmstock , at Culmstock Beacon, is one of a chain of Elizabethan beacons built to warn of possible invasion by the Spanish Armada . On 5 November 1380, King Richard II granted Sir William and Lady Margaret Asthorpe a licence to crenellate the Hemyock manor house, meaning the permission to fortify it. Over the centuries, Hemyock Castle had many notable owners including Lord Chief Justice Sir John Popham . During
4144-498: The new traffic generated, & avoid more congestion around both Cheltenham & Gloucester, a new junction, 11A, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) south of junction 11, was constructed and opened in the mid-1990s. A further feature of this junction was to create a new route from the south west Midlands to London and central southern England via the A417, A419 and the M4 at junction 15. The Avonmouth Bridge
4218-431: The north aisle was added and the church refenestrated in the 15th century. The tower dates from about 1500. The south porch and the vestry are much more recent, dating from 1841. The crenellated 3-stage tower, has merlons pierced with trefoil headed arches set on a quatrefoil pierced parapet . The church has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building . The Blackdown Hills are crossed by
4292-481: The number and variety of small-scale food and drink businesses in the area in recent years. Tourism is also a significant contributor to the local economy with visitors attracted by activities such as walking and riding. The Blackdown Hills Business Association was established as a member organisation in 2002 to encourage and support all businesses that are based in or serve the Blackdown Hills. Membership stands at around 400 businesses. M5 motorway The M5
4366-475: The police contacted Ford to help them trace the vehicle. On the evening of Friday 4 November 2011, seven people were killed and a further 51 injured in a major crash involving over 50 vehicles which included cars, vans and large goods vehicles near junction 25 in West Monkton , near Taunton . Several vehicles were burnt out in the fire which developed at the scene as the result of a series of explosions, and
4440-580: The river. Blackdown Hills National Landscape The Blackdown Hills , or Blackdowns , are a range of hills along the Somerset - Devon border in south-western England . The plateau is dominated by hard chert bands of Upper Greensand with some remnants of chalk , and is cut through by river valleys. The Blackdown Hills were designated in 1991 as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). In November 2023, AONBs became National Landscapes. The hills support an extensive range of wildlife leading to
4514-425: The road surface was seriously damaged, not just by the fire and explosions, but also by fuel spillage. The cause of the crash, which took place in wet foggy conditions close to a firework display , was investigated. One person was charged for breach under health and safety laws and found not guilty. Data from driver location signs are used to provide distance and carriageway identifier information. Where both
SECTION 60
#17330926919734588-518: The route of the A38 road . The two deviate slightly around Bristol and the area south of Bristol from junctions 16 to the Sedgemoor services north of junction 22. The A38 goes straight through the centre of Bristol and passes by Bristol Airport , while the M5 skirts both, with access to the airport from junctions 18, 19 or 22. The A38 continues south into Devon from junction 31, near Exminster . Junction 15 of
4662-464: The section between junctions 1 and 2 in the West Midlands will be one of four in England to have its speed limit reduced to 60 mph (97 km/h) in a bid to reduce high levels of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide in the particular area. In 2020, it was announced that junction 10 would be undergoing significant roadworks as part of a redevelopment project on the A4019. The works will involve making
4736-525: The south of junction 23, which as of 2021 had degraded and lost its head and arms. The first 26 miles (42 km) of the M5 motorway was constructed as a dual two-lane motorway with Worcestershire County Council acting as engineer. This section – from junction 4 ( Lydiate Ash ) in the north to a trumpet junction with the M50 in the south – opened in July 1962. This original section of
4810-708: The strong patterning of the landscape. Many of the images that he produced in the area are now in national museums. In the Second World War , airbases were built at Dunkeswell , Upottery and Culmhead . Dunkeswell Aerodrome ( IATA : N/A , ICAO : EGTU ) was built in the Second World War by the RAF , briefly used by the USAF , and then the Fleet Airwing 7 of the USN . It was the only American Navy air base commissioned on UK soil during
4884-408: The western areas the Upper Greensand is devoid of calcareous material but the sands yield fossils of marine bivalves and gastropods (snails) preserved in silica . A high proportion of the steeper slopes of the Blackdowns are affected by landslides, the long northern scarp of the range in particular. Typically there are patchy deposits of head (clays, sands and gravels of local origin) found beneath
4958-415: Was also opened in 1962, and was intended to replace the pre-war Filton bypass. Gloucestershire County Council acted as engineer for this section, which was widened to a dual three-lane motorway in 1969. North of junction 4 the M5 was constructed in sections, from 1967 to 1970, together with the Frankley services . Much of the northern section beyond junction 3, from about Oldbury to the junction with
5032-544: Was built as part of the M42 motorway construction project. The route of the M42 was decided as early as 1972 but, owing to planning delays, the short section of the M42 north of Bromsgrove did not open until December 1989. As the M5 traffic increased in the 1980s, junction 11, the main Gloucester and Cheltenham access (via the A40 Golden Valley by-pass) became increasingly congested. At the same time there were plans for large scale business and housing developments at Brockworth, near Gloucester. To relieve junction 11 of some of
5106-519: Was converted to eight lanes (four lanes in each direction) in the early 2000s. Later, in 2005–2006, parts of the M5 between junctions 17 and 20 were widened to 7 lanes (four lanes climbing the hills and three lanes descending the hills); variable message signs were added and parts of the central reservation was converted to a concrete step barrier . During this stage of construction the M5 became Britain's longest contraflow system, spanning 9 miles (14 km) between junctions 19 and 20. The M5 contraflow
5180-418: Was developed to motorway standards, and incorporated into the M5 in 1975. When the initial English motorway system, including the now-M5, was being planned, no numbering system had been agreed. A 1958 Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation memo suggested basing motorway numbers on the existing A road numbering scheme , suggesting that "M5" would be either the section of the London-Doncaster motorway (now
5254-425: Was followed by further attempts at enclosure in 1658 but again only about a third was successfully enclosed, which remained the situation until 1833 when the rest of the hills were enclosed. Coldharbour Mill was built around 1800 to exploit the available water power of the River Culm and was used for wool and yarn production until its commercial closure in 1981. It is now managed by an educational trust and plays
5328-557: Was inspired by an Egyptian obelisk , but in the shape of the type of bayonet used by Wellington's armies. It is now owned by the National Trust , and is floodlit at night. The artist Robert Polhill Bevan worked in the Blackdown Hills from 1912 to 1925 as a guest of landowner and amateur artist Harold Harrison. Until the end of his life Bevan continued to paint in the Bolham valley and nearby Luppitt his angular style sitting well with
5402-469: Was said to be the most complicated ever built in the UK as the motorway is on a split level around the steep hills of the Gordano Valley ; meaning four lanes plus an additional emergency vehicle lane were squeezed into that section. In 2002, extended exits for junction 12 were constructed. The Highways Agency did not anticipate the traffic flows through the junction and the resultant queues soon extended back onto
5476-602: Was soon established that the bones were those of a young female. A few days later, DNA found on the remains confirmed that the body was that of Melanie Hall , a Bath hospital worker who disappeared in June 1996 after a night out in Bath , and who had been declared dead in absentia in 2004. Dental records confirmed that the body was hers, and the police began a formal investigation into her murder. As of 2016 no one has been prosecuted in connection with this case. Some keys were also discovered and
#972027