Britain's Motorways: Hidden History, Quirks, and Essential Travel Tips

Introduction

Driving along the motorways of Britain isn't just about getting from point A to point B. It is a journey filled with fascinating history and a few quirky surprises!

 

A Brief History of Britain's Motorways

Before the late 1950s, the UK relied mostly on A-roads, some of which trace their origins back to ancient Roman routes. The opening of the M1 in 1959 marked a groundbreaking moment, ushering in a new era of modern, fast-paced road travel. This shift meant more people and freight moved by road instead of trains, leading to the bustling motorways we know today.

 

Iconic Motorway Features

Take the M6, for example, the longest motorway in the UK, running from Rugby all the way to the Scottish border. It features the famous Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham, officially known as the Gravelly Hill Interchange, located at junction 6 where the M6 meets the A38(M) Aston Expressway. Opened on 24 May 1972, it's renowned for its complex design with 4 km (2.5 mi) of slip roads over five levels, handling high volumes of traffic daily.

And let's not forget the M25, often affectionately called the 'London Orbital Car Park' due to its notorious traffic. This 117-mile motorway encircles Greater London and connects to major routes like the M1, M4, M3, and M23, making it one of the busiest and most important roads in the UK.

 

Fun and Quirky Motorway Facts

Other interesting facts we found from BBC Radio 4 are:

1. Our widest motorway has 17 lanes of traffic
   The M61 at Linnyshaw Moss, Greater Manchester, includes 17 lanes (plus eight hard shoulders) spread across several parallel carriageways. Though split, they’re all part of the same motorway, making lane choice a bit daunting!

2. The busiest motorway is the M25
   Unsurprisingly, the busiest stretch is between junctions 13 and 14 near Heathrow Airport, carrying around 165,000 vehicles daily.

3. There is no junction 3 on the M1
   The M1 jumps from J2 (near Finchley) to J4 (Elstree). A planned junction 3 linking to the A1 was cancelled, and today the site hosts motorway services.

4. Our highest motorway is over 350 m above sea level
   The M62 reaches its highest point on Saddleworth Moor in the Peak District, at 1,222 ft (372 m) above sea level, offering expansive views.

5. The most northerly motorway in the UK
   The M90 in Scotland runs past Dunfermline and Kinross to Perth, making it the UK’s most northerly motorway.

 

Greener Travel and Future Planning

While many of us use these roads, there is a growing awareness of their environmental impact, inspiring efforts to embrace greener travel options. There are for example increasing facilities for electric cars with charging points at many motorway service stations, though availability for electric trucks is still limited and under development.

According to electrive.com, motorway operator Moto has announced plans to open 15 charging 'superhubs' by 2027 with capacity for 5,000 electric lorries and over 300 dedicated charge points for HGVs, aiming to cut UK carbon emissions by up to half a million tonnes per year.

 

Essential Motorway Travel Checklist

And speaking of travel, if you find yourself on the motorway during a heatwave, like today, it's always a good idea to prepare in advance.

• ❄️ make sure your air conditioning is working

• 💧 bring plenty of water to stay hydrated

• 🌳 take breaks in shaded areas or service stations to cool off

• 🛞 check your tyre pressure, oil levels, and coolant to avoid breakdowns

• ⛽ ensure you have enough fuel for the journey

• 📄 also make sure to have appropriate updated insurance coverage.

 

And remember, if you are due for a renewal on your truck or van insurance, Ratcliffes Insurance Brokers is here to help! We’d love to make sure you are covered and ready for all your journeys ahead.