The major Essex motorway which has a cricket pitch directly above

Whether loved or loathed, evading the M25 is a near-impossible feat. It's hard to imagine a life without the motorway and though the traffic woes are universally bemoaned, the M25 remains a road of incredible convenience for circumnavigating London. Frequently traversed by Essex commuters, it ranks among the most heavily utilised routes nationally.

For those who use it often, the dual tunnels are a notable feature—indelible in the memories of some, whilst scarcely acknowledged by others. Yet one might ponder their rationale for existence and what presides above them. The concept of a London bypass dates back to early 20th century musings, which gained new urgency post-World War II when 11 county councils expressed to the Ministry of Transport that an orbital route was of "first priority" for London.



Read more: Inside the huge Essex Sainsbury's the largest in the UK with dozens of aisles Read more: The gorgeous Essex village with chocolate-box cottages that’s like stepping into another world Come 1964, the London County Council put forward the London Ringways proposal aiming to construct four motorway rings encircling the capital. The first stages of the M25's construction kicked off in 1973, with the stretch connecting South Mimms and Potters Bar in neighbouring Hertfordshire emerging as the inaugural segment completed, making its debut in September 1975. Concluding the construction was the segment extending from Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, to Theydon Garnon, Essex, which opened its lanes to the public in 1984.

However, the motorway's construction wasn't without its challenges and controversies, sparking numerous protests over the years. The M25 was officially inaugurated by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on October 29, 1986, between junction 22 London Colney and junction 23 South Mimms. The total cost of constructing the motorway was approximately £1bn.

Upon completion, it held the record for being the longest orbital motorway in the world at 117 miles. Over time, certain sections were expanded to accommodate the heavy traffic flow. One notable feature is the Bell Common tunnel, located between junction 27 and junction 26 in the Essex stretch of the M25.

This 500m long tunnel, which opened in 1984, was constructed due to a unique challenge - Epping Forest on one side and a development on the other. The original plan was to have the road cut through a local cricket pitch, threatening the future of the Epping Foresters Cricket Club. However, the decision was made to build a tunnel instead, preserving the cricket club's home ground.

Despite this, the club had to relocate for five years during the tunnel's construction. Once completed, they were able to return to their original location, which now sits atop the tunnel, boasting a beautiful cricket pitch. When you think of a cricket pitch, it tends to be located in the beautiful countryside or out in the suburbs of towns - not above the UK's busiest motorway.

But regardless, the pitch is perfectly fine and don't worry, no cricket balls are going to come flying towards your windscreen when driving along the motorway any time soon. People have noted online that during construction you were actually able to go and visit the site to have a look at the ongoing works. Others noted how they watched it being built from their nearby bedroom windows.

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