[GB] Motorways in the United Kingdom

[ChrisZwolle]

Britain's busiest section of motorway was the M25 between junctions 13 and 14 near Heathrow airport, with up to 196,000 vehicles a day.

source: BBC

Whoa! That's much lower as i expected! You always hear people brag on SSC about how busy the M25 London Orbital should be, and that it's the busiest road in Europe, but's that's obviously not true.

One can find busier roads in the Netherlands, Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Moscow.

[Occit]

I was in London in 2002...and the Motorways are funnies for me (maybe because i don't get custom to see cars driving by the left)

[x-type]

Originally Posted by Billpa

You think English signage is worse than what's in France and Belgium? What about Austria?

I think the UK motorway signage is better than that found in all of those nations.

for me - UK's is better than french, but worse than Belgium's and Austria's. although Austria is near bottom, too (belgian is not that bad). ->that's all just my opinion

[ChrisZwolle]

Italian is not good too. French signage on rural Autoroutes is okay, but too much destinations on the signs near cities.

[KIWIKAAS]

Originally Posted by Chris1491

source: BBC

Whoa! That's much lower as i expected! You always hear people brag on SSC about how busy the M25 London Orbital should be, and that it's the busiest road in Europe, but's that's obviously not true.

One can find busier roads in the Netherlands, Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Moscow.

I've known that for a while. It's the same average daily volume as the busiest stretch of road in New Zealand which also handles 196000 vehicles per day (down from a high of 199000 in 2001). Does that also makes NZ's busiest motorway busier than Germany's busiest?

[Jonny wyre]

The Department for Transport's "Transport Statistics Great Britain 2005" claims the total mileage of motorway is 3,523km or 2201.88 miles.

[KIWIKAAS]

Originally Posted by Jonny wyre

The Department for Transport's "Transport Statistics Great Britain 2005" claims the total mileage of motorway is 3,523km or 2201.88 miles.

And that doesnt count all the 4-lane motorway grade roads in the UK (that would be classified as motorway elsewhere). A motorway in the UK must be a minimum of 3 lanes each way so its 3523km of 6 or more lanes. Would be interesting to know the total with all 4-lane motorway grade routes included (for a fair comparison with other countries).

[ChrisZwolle]

There are tons of 2x2 motorways too. But you are right that a lot of British Motorways are 2x3 lanes (all the way). That's very good.

Does that also makes NZ's busiest motorway busier than Germany's busiest?

No, the A100 in Berlin has 216.000

The Dutch A16 near Rotterdam has 255.000

Moskovian MKAD and Madrid M30 are said to be over 300.000

[KIWIKAAS]

What I was meaning (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that to be classified a motorway (in the UK) it has to be a limited access road with atleast 3 lanes each way. 2 lnes ech way is not classified as a motorway (even if it satisfies all other requirements). What I am trying to say is that the UK most likely has far more motorway (according to the standards of most countries) than what is officially stated. In other words I think the UK cuts its self short in the rankings.

[ChrisZwolle]

These all-purpose roads CAN have grade crossings. But some don't have them at all, some have a few.

[ChrisZwolle]

United Kingdom:

M-roads: 3143km
A (M)-roads: 312km
--------------------
total: 3.455km

Northern Ireland:

M-roads: 102km
A (M)-roads: 2km
--------------------
total: 104km

grand total: 3.559km

This is the entire British Motorway network. However there can be more A-numbered dual carriage way roads, but those are not up to motorway standards.

[Mr. B]

Don't know if any of you have ever seen this but it's the plan for Glasgow's Motorways and Expressways from 1965. Very little of which was built.

Blue= Motorways
Red= Expressways

[ChrisZwolle]

Wow. Only a few of them were actually build. But i saw the M8 in Glasgow has only 2x2 lanes near the river crossing. Looks like a heavy congestion site to me.

[Mr. B]

If it's the Kingston Bridge you're meaning it has 2x5 lanes at the bridge, it varies a lot when going throught he city from 2x3 to 2x5. when South of Kingston Bridge at Junct.22 it is 16 lanes wide. check it out here http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=...3807&encType=1

[aussiescraperman]

UK is the best county in the world!

[Maxx☢Power]

Originally Posted by aussiescraperman

UK is the best county in the world!

No it's not. Switzerland is.

[Nutshell]

This thread proves that the UK has no great highways/freeways. What a backward-ass country, with all your silly little 'quaint' country lanes and tiny cars. Save dramatic road-scenery for the rest of the world.

[Nutshell]

Originally Posted by Mr. B

If it's the Kingston Bridge you're meaning it has 2x5 lanes at the bridge, it varies a lot when going throught he city from 2x3 to 2x5. when South of Kingston Bridge at Junct.22 it is 16 lanes wide. check it out here http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=...3807&encType=1

3 lanes is the max, in the UK. This is a country that hates the car and refuses to build new roads, so it's stuck in like, the 1930's.

[Blindfold]

Originally Posted by Nutshell

This thread proves that the UK has no great highways/freeways. What a backward-ass country, with all your silly little 'quaint' country lanes and tiny cars. Save dramatic road-scenery for the rest of the world.

Fuck off Numbnuts or whatever your name is. How big is that chip on your shoulder you Brit-hater? Since when is a country's worth judged on the width of its highways?

Do us all a favour and never leave Miami.

[wyqtor]

Originally Posted by MaxxPower

No it's not. Switzerland is.

I was about to write the same thing, only I don't know how Norway is like. I guess I rely on your opinion to settle it then !