city mourns man who drew up first plans for Milton Keynes 54 years ago - complete with pod cars

Bill was the personal assistant to the renowned Fred Pooley, the Chief Architect and Planner for Bucks County Council.

In 1962 Mr Pooley asked him to assess the implications of building a city for 250,000 people in North Bucks.

The utmost secrecy was required and Bill shut himself away in a locked office for ten days before emerging with a report which, because of its sensitivity, was handwritten rather than typed.

This led to the plans for a city, nicknamed Pooleyville, that was based around a monorail - and even mentioned driverless cars.

By 1967 the government established Milton Keynes Development Corporation, for which Bill was Director of Planning.

Part of the work that Bill undertook for ‘Pooleyville’ was to investigate the role of driverless cars which made their debut on the streets of Milton Keynes in October.

Bill visited the scheme in April this year to see the cars for himself.

He leaves a wife, Sheila and two daughters.