The M53 forms a spine road along the Wirral, beginning at the tunnel under the Mersey and passing through the industrial areas of Ellesmere Port to reach Chester.
It was the UK's only single-carriageway motorway, and twenty years ago it ceased to exist. This is the story of the strange fascination it held, and of my place in history.
The "Preston By-Pass" was Britain's first motorway, opened in 1958. These books show the road as it was on opening day and share some of the thrill of this pioneering project.