A dystopian dream: discovering Birmingham’s Spaghetti Junction

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the UK’s most famous motorway interchange? Welcome to the dystopian underworld of the Spaghetti Junction, concrete and graffiti meet a labyrinth of canals, towpaths, rivers, a park, a lake, and wildlife. This gritty, urban landscape is both eerie and fascinating, offering a unique experience for those who dare to explore it.

There is no better way to experience this unique environment than by netwalking with a group of female engineers, architects, lawyers and creatives all brought together by Women in Property West Midlands, which champions this active form of networking.

Under a hot May sun, we embarked on a historic tour of this instantly recognisable piece of engineering which most UK drivers will have driven on or past. It received its familiar nickname back in 1965. When presented with plans for the interchange, Birmingham Evening Mail reporter Roy Smith described plans for the then-unbuilt junction as, "a cross between a plate of spaghetti and an unsuccessful attempt at a Staffordshire knot”. Sub-editor Alan Eaglesfield coined the nickname "Spaghetti Junction", for the headline which, despite Birmingham City Council's efforts, stuck like cooked spaghetti thrown at a wall. 

Officially named Gravelly Interchange, it was opened on 24 May 1972 by the then Secretary of State for the Environment, the Rt Honourable Peter Walker MBE MP. The project cost £10 million and was designed to last 120 years, with a continual programme of upkeep and maintenance on the structure.

 Work started on this gargantuan project linking the M1, M5, M6 and A38(M) in 1968, consisting of 559 concrete columns across five levels, completed in just four years. An incredible 13.1 miles of motorway were elevated to accommodate two railway lines, three canals and two rivers. The 3.5 mile stretch of elevated M6 forms the longest bridge in Great Britain. 

The area beneath is breathtaking in its brutalist complexion and has been used as a backdrop for art exhibitions, music videos, events, and films. Outkast’s song ‘Spaghetti Junction’ was released as part of their album ‘Stankonia’ in 2000. The stark landscape also appears as a backdrop in Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’: Highways England facilitated filming for this big-screen adventure beneath the iconic structure in the summer of 2016. It also features in the Cliff Richard musical film ‘Take Me High’ which sees him play a banker living on a barge in the city.

The highlight of the tour was seeing the street art, including the work of local artist Bill Drummond. His ongoing project to create 25 paintings beneath the Spaghetti Junction has received much acclaim for its bold political statements.

The Spaghetti Junction stands as a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of twentieth-century engineering. Its complex web of concrete and steel not only serves as a vital transportation hub but also as a canvas for artistic expression and a backdrop for cultural narratives. Whether you view it as a marvel of modern infrastructure or a symbol of urban grit, the Spaghetti Junction continues to captivate and inspire those who encounter it. Its story is one of innovation, resilience, and the ever-evolving relationship between human creations and the natural world.