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Pownall's Corner

John Meads 2017

Until road improvements in about 1960, Pownall’s Corner was one of the most notorious bottlenecks along the whole length of the London to Carlisle trunk road – the A6. Situated where the High Street met Kettering Road it was said that an active man could jump from one pavement to the other – perhaps an exaggeration but only just!

‘Bobby’ Pownall was a baker with his home and premises very close to the corner.

Burton Latimer - Pownalls-corner-pic-for-web_result

Pownall’s Corner in the 1940s/50s. The entrance archway to Mr. Pownall’s bakery can be seen
on the left just past the houses that are very close to the road

Burton Latimer - Pownalls corner piece_result
Burton Latimer - Pownalls corner demolition for web_result

Following the 1938 newspaper report, it took more than 20 years to get the road
widened and well over 50 years to get the by-pass. Today’s Health & Safety officers
would have something to say to the workman on the roof of the condemned house.

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