Bypass is named after Busby Babe

Busby Babe Duncan Edwards, who died in the Munich Air Disaster 50 years ago, has had a road named after him in his home town.

Dudley councillors renamed the town's southern bypass Duncan Edwards Way in remembrance of the 21-year-old.

Edwards, brought up in The Priory, is widely-regarded as one of the greatest ever English footballers.

The Manchester United player died following a plane crash, which also claimed the lives of seven team mates.

The team, known as the Busby Babes after their manager Sir Matt Busby, were returning from a European Cup match in Belgrade when the accident happened on 6 February 1958.

'Immensely proud'

The bypass is the latest tribute to honour the footballer, who played 18 times for England.

His statue stands in the town centre and a memorial ceremony was held there in February to mark the anniversary of the crash.

Duncan Edwards Close, in Dudley, was named after the iconic footballer in the early-1990s, and is close to the town's cemetery where he is buried.

Dudley's mayor Ray Burston said: "We are immensely proud of Duncan Edwards in Dudley and what better way to honour his memory than naming one of the busiest roads in the borough after him."

New road signs have been ordered and will be installed later this year.

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