The dictionary describes a motorways as "a dual-carriageway road designed for fast traffic, with relatively few places for joining or leaving."
During World War II the government drew up plans to create a new network of high speed routes across the country.
The passing of the Special Roads Act 1949 gave the government legal powers to build roads that were not automatically rights of way for certain types of user of which motorways were to become one type.
In 1958 the first motorway was opened as the Preston Bypass which is now part of the M6 motorway.
The first major motorway to open was the M1 between Crick and Berrygrove
Motorways are "trunk roads" considering of at least two lanes on each carriageway, usually three lanes but increasing being widened in places to stretch four or more lanes in each direction.
Ever wondered how many motorways there are in the UK?
You can find a complete list of UK motorways here.
The UK's longest motorway is the M6 motorway.
The UK's shortest motorway is the A623(M) in Greater Manchester, North West England.
The heading above the image takes you to the "about the motorway page". Click on the image or the "latest ... traffic reports" link below the image to go to the page dedicated to traffic reports, traffic news and latest traffic updates for each of the motorways.
M1 Motorway | M2 Motorway | M25 Motorway | M3 Motorway | M4 Motorway |
---|---|---|---|---|
Latest M1 Traffic Reports | Latest M2 Traffic Reports | Latest M25 Traffic Reports | Latest M3 Traffic Reports | Latest M4 Traffic Reports |
The M1 London to Leeds | The M2 Strood to Brenley Corner | London Ring Road Motorway | London to Southampton | London to Llanelli in South Wales |
M40 Motorway | M42 Motorway | M5 Motorway | M6 Motorway | M60 Motorway |
Latest M40 Traffic Reports | Latest M42 Traffic Reports | Latest M5 Traffic Reports | Latest M6 Traffic Reports | Latest M60 Traffic Reports |
London to Birmingham | Bromsgrove to Applyby | Walsall to Exeter | Cattorpe (England) to Gretna (Scotland) | Greater Manchester Ring Road Motorway |
M62 Motorway | M621 Motorway | A1(M) Motorway |
---|---|---|
Latest M62 Traffic Reports | Latest M621 Traffic Reports | Latest A1(M) Traffic Reports |
Kingston Upon Hull (North East) to Liverpool (North West) | Gilderstone to Rotherway | London (M1) South Mimms to Hatfield |
Search for words such as "M25" "J16" or "M25 J16" "northbound" "wesbound" "roadworks" "congestion" or a combination to meet your traffic information requirements.
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