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No plans to finish town's 'road to nowhere'

Beth Cruse
BBC News, West of England
Chris Willmore A German Shepherd dog is pictured in the middle of a deserted dual carriageway, which has trees on both sides.Chris Willmore
Yate's 'road to nowhere' is enjoyed by dog walkers and production companies

A council says it has no plans to finish building a town's so-called 'road to nowhere' which was started more than 50 years ago but never completed.

A 400-metre stretch of road in Yate, South Gloucestershire was built as part of a highway to connect the south of the town with Badminton Road in 1974.

But the project was abandoned due to rising costs, leaving the council with what it says is a "unique stretch of dual carriageway" which has become a filming hotspot.

"In the past five years we have approved 15 permits for filming at the 'road to nowhere'", a South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said.

The rural dual carriageway runs from the Rodford Way roundabout in Yate, across the common, and ends at the railway line which connects Yate with Thornbury.

It was part of a project to link south Yate with the main commuter route into Bristol, Badminton Road, during the 1970s.

But due to the rising cost of steel, no bridge was ever built over the railway line which means the road, essentially, goes nowhere.

"The road is there on both sides but the bridge is missing," said Yate Town Councillor Chris Willmore.

"Some people would like it finished but most people don't want a bridge as it would suck traffic into south Yate and make the roads more dangerous."

Chris Willmore A fire and rescue truck is pictured on an empty dual carriageway. In front of it is an ambulance on its side. In the distance is a fuel lorry.Chris Willmore
The road was used as a filming location for Casualty in 2018

The road is now advertised by South Gloucestershire Council as a location for filming, and it says "could be shot as a two lane or dual carriageway".

Most recently it has featured in the BBC comedy drama Boarders.

It has also been used in Casualty, Broadchurch and the 2021 Doctor Who Special, Revolution of the Daleks.

"Production companies can apply via the application form on our website and are required to hold the relevant public liability insurance and undertake the appropriate risk assessments," a spokesperson added.

"All administration and filming fees are used to help maintain our Common Open spaces."

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