Motorway

The M6 motorway running through Britain's Lake District

A motorway is the British term for a high speed divided highway with limited access points on which only certain forms of motor traffic are permitted, analogous to a US freeway, a German Autobahn, French autoroute, etc.^[1] As of 31 March 2004, the Motorway network in England totalled 4,818 miles (7,754 km); this figure does not include Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.^[2]

History[edit]

The first motorway in Great Britain was the M6 Preston by-pass, opened on 5 December 1958. However, the first substantial length of motorway to open was the M1 from London to Northamptonshire, on 2 November 1959.

References[edit]

1. ↑ http://www.cbrd.co.uk/roadsfaq/#41
2. ↑ http://www.highways.gov.uk/aboutus/1385.aspx