In 1970, the city opened the Westway elevated highway (pictured), to the protest of nearby residents. Not originally part of the Ringways, the new road caught the public’s imagination, and not in a good way. Adding to the troubles, the cost had grown to what would be an estimated £24 billion ($30bn) in today’s money. The Ringways project was abandoned in 1973, and the GLC was abolished little more than a decade later.

Now discover the over-budget and delayed megaprojects under construction around the world today

Liked this? Click the Like button above. And click the Follow button above for more great stories from loveMONEY

13 costly megaprojects in the UK and beyond that went horribly wrong