A ‘visionary’ who oversaw the creation of Britain’s first motorway has passed away, aged 93.
Harry Yeadon, who was born and raised in Burnley Road, Accrington was integral in the construction of the M6 Preston Bypass in 1956 and got the wheels in motion for the UK’s modern motorway network.
Harry, who was Lancashire County Council’s surveyor and bridge master from 1974 to 1984, attended Accrington Grammar School and went on to study engineering at Manchester University before serving in Italy as a Royal Engineer during the Second World War.
Son Mark Yeadon, 58, who lives in Hong Kong and is a partner with law firm Eversheds, said that his father was an ‘inspirational man’ and paid tribute to the 150 civic figures who attended his funeral in Lytham St Annes on Tuesday, February 17.
He said: “He was a visionary and he was part of a group of engineers who were trailblazers developing the motorway system. His legacy lives on in that network.
“He was very much a committed public servant and he spent his whole life living in Lancashire and was involved in a lot of community projects.”
In addition to his civil work, Harry also published two books documenting his experience creating the first motorway networks. His contribution to public service was recognised last year when representatives of the British Library interviewed him for their archive project documenting the most important figures in Britain over the past century.
Son Mark added: “It was a fantastic recognition of the contribution he has made.”
