please empty your brain below
April fool joke surely ? When I lived in those parts it was always known as Eastern Avenue.

Famous in its day for being the first bit of purpose built dual carriageway. Soon filled up with traffic jammed cars which seems to be the way for all road improvement schemes. You have captured my memory of unfortunate housing lining this uninspiring strip very well.

DannyR | 02.04.18 - 7:33 a.m. | #

I had the opportunity to drive along the then newly opened M11 link Road to get to a friend's wedding. What didn't surprise me were the speed cameras istalled into the architecture.

These had been carefully planned ahead of its construction and demonstrated the fiction that such devices were only installed where there had been a history of serious accidents.

Ken | 02.04.18 - 7:49 a.m. | #

That's a bit nuphobic for a Moday

Richard | 02.04.18 - 7:49 a.m. | #

That farmland near Romford use to grow potatoes. “Buy your Bonzer Poratoes here” (or similar messages) was on all the roadside signs at this point. Not sure if Bonzerks are still there?

Tim Burns | 02.04.18 - 8:00 a.m. | #

Wondering if this narrative could have been divided into 12 stations. Passionate writing, as ever.

Waterhouse | 02.04.18 - 8:06 a.m. | #

"The central reservation is broad, and could do with a visit from the litter clearance company".

We can only hope that with the new regulations announced over the past few days regarding litter thrown from vehicles and the increased fines that action will finally be taken against the numerous idiots who think its acceptable to just throw their unwanted litter out onto the grass verges and roads, an action which seems to be prevalent near to traffic lights.

fishislandskin | 02.04.18 - 8:21 a.m. | #

Bonzer's used to have amusing ads on giant hoardings, such as "Giver her one for Christmas" meaning a bag of spuds.

The "last mile" towards Gallows Corner is or was always in the top ten of Britain's most dangerous roads. Shock, horror.

Running_Correspondent | 02.04.18 - 8:22 a.m. | #

So they did! Cue much sniggering in the back of the car from this schoolboy!

Tim Burns | 02.04.18 - 8:23 a.m. | #

I had the pleasure of travelling this road, myself, just a few days ago, in search of a paint specialist in Romford.
It gives the journey a whole new significance to find that I'd been riding on 'Route 66'

RogerW | 02.04.18 - 8:53 a.m. | #

thank you, DG. Yet another fascinating post the area I live in(E Britain)
Has your 'n' fially dropped off?

Alan Slater | 02.04.18 - 9:04 a.m. | #

I like the neat joke ... fially at a ed ... where all the "n's" drop out just like Easter

Caz | 02.04.18 - 10:13 a.m. | #

I expect the "n's" are all busy laying Easter Eggs.

Joho | 02.04.18 - 10:20 a.m. | #

Anyone from Essex knows that it's called Easter Navenue.

Bob L-S | 02.04.18 - 10:41 a.m. | #

Hope the kicks you got on Route 66 didn't exclusively come on the back of your seat, from the small boy behind you!

Cornish Cockney | 02.04.18 - 11:29 a.m. | #

I like it. Did the walk, a few years ago (well, a few decades, no, quite a lot of decades actually) on a sponsored walk from Southend to Southgate.

Malcolm | 02.04.18 - 12:46 p.m. | #

I’m travelling along it now on a rail replacement bus service. Can’t say I ever find this road enjoyable.

Jimmy | 02.04.18 - 2:45 p.m. | #

There aren't any traffic lights at Gallows Corner, just two sets of pedestrian lights at the start of the Southend Arterial Road and the Colchester Road. Havering Council have just published their vision for the next 15 years and there are plans to put some of the traffic through an underpass.

Robert | 02.04.18 - 8:14 p.m. | #

DG I'm sure you had time to start your pilgrimage at Great Easter Street (EC2) and Great Easter Walk (EC2). Then via Great Easter Buildings (E1), taking in the Great Easter Enterprise Centre (E14). A quick detour via Great Easter Road (E15) and ending up in Great Easter Road, Brentwood.
Hope you had a splendid Eastern.

Dave | 03.04.18 - 12:34 a.m. | #

Nothing, but NOTHING 'Swooshes' over Temple Mills Lane

Milo | 03.04.18 - 9:14 a.m. | #

I remember going to the heavy metal nights at the Greengate, whats now the McD at Newbury Park. Bit of a drag from my side of Bow, but venues that played HM were thin on the ground in east London. The Ruskin Arms was a regular hangout. Happy Days.

Ken F | 04.04.18 - 5:59 p.m. | #

When the Ancient Egypt exhibition was on in London years ago, the Bonzer sign said ‘Toot and come in’.

Lorraine | 15.09.18 - 9:29 a.m. | #











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