Chiswick Flyover Celebrates 50 years

Party planned to mark anniversary of when Jayne Mansfield cut the ribbon

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Locals know it as one of the most uncomfortable drives in Chiswick however 50 years ago next month, the flyover was the height of glamour and sophistication. Well its opening ceremony anyway when 1950's siren Jayne Mansfield cut the ribbon to officially open the final link connecting the M4 with central London.

"It's a sweet little flyover,' Miss Mansfield told the press on the day.

Now 50 years on Cllr Paul Lynch believes we can't let the anniversary pass without doing something.

"I suppose it wouldn't occur to anyone to get someone like Miss Mansfield to open a stretch of motorway these days, but in the fifties we still associated motoring with fun and we need to re-capture some of that spirit as we mark the half century."

Jayne Mansfield's daughter Mariska Hargitay was invited to the event which is reported to be a "small drinks party" immediately beneath the flyover so that it wouldn't interfere with the flow of traffic.

The Law & Order star is the youngest daughter of Jayne Mansfield and Hungarian-born former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay. Unfortunately, although she would have been keen to attend her filming commitments in the US.


August 8, 2009