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Page last updated at 15:20 GMT, Wednesday, 28 October 2009

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In Pictures: M1 motorway

Harold Watkinson

The M1 motorway is turning 50. Harold Watkinson, the then transport minister, was there when work officially began on the St Albans to Birmingham route in 1958.

The 72-mile southern section of the road was built by a labour force of 5,000.

Twenty million tonnes of earth, gravel, rock and chalk were excavated to make way for the M1.

Flooded M1 roadworks

Flooding over the autumn and winter of 1958-1959 caused major problems.

Car sitting under railway bridge works

The southern section of the M1 was completed in 19 months at a cost of �16.5 million.

Those who helped to build the M1 were taken to work on double-decker buses.

Minister of Transport Ernest Marples opening the M1

Transport Minister Ernest Marples officially opened the first section of the M1 motorway on 2 November, 1959.

Aerial view of M1 junction at A45

In 1959 there was no speed limit, no central reservation, no crash barriers and no street lights. The documentary M1 Magic, first broadcast on Wed 28 October is available via Radio 4's website, bbc.co.uk/radio4.

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