Why some motorways are MX and some are AX (M)?

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
1

Just simply question?

I guess that it’s when some A-class road is upgraded to motorway standard? Or I am wrong?

2

orys:
Just simply question?

I guess that it’s when some A-class road is upgraded to motorway standard? Or I am wrong?

usually - yes

3

Yes, where a road is numbered something like A329(M), then it means that there used to be the A329 there and it was upgraded to motorway standard at some stage.

Where a road is numbered M2, M3, M4 etc, it was newly built as a motorway predominantly on greenfield land.

4

Taken from cbrd.co.uk…

Ax(M)
A term used to refer to the UK’s oddest classification, the “A-Road with Motorway Restrictions”. Essentially these roads are a short section or bypass to an A-road which has been built and operates as a motorway. Such roads are given the A-road’s number, with (M) appended, hence the term Ax(M).

Take a look, it should answer just about any other similar questions you may have! http://www.cbrd.co.uk

5

Ha! Great page, thanks!

6

Also worth a look is Pathetic Motorways

I remember the dodgy couriers on provisionals that pulled the L plates off their Cub 90s so they could go on the A40(M) to get a swift delivery to the BBC. :wink: The seemingly pointless M41 motorway that didn’t get to where it meant to be going.

Orys, you must know all about the grand plans for the Glasgow Inner Ring road?

7

Oh yeah the plans for Glasgow they were pretty amazing, basically Glasgow would be like somewhere like Los Angeles with basically freeways everywhere.

I say freeways because at the time there wasnt any UK urban motorways so the developers looked at designs for US urban freeways when designing the M8 and the rest of the plans which were scraped.

Ive met the guy who does the Pathetic motorway site, had a good chat with him about what was proposed for Glasgow, he was involved with the guy from CBRD in researching the Glasgow plans.

cbrd.co.uk/histories/glasgow/

8

I seen that on this cbrd web page and I noticed plenty of bridges to nowhere on M8…

Now they at least starting M74 extension - and I am wondering how they will number junctions? Now at Cambuslang we have J1, so it will be J0 - Celtic Stadium, J-1 - Dixon Blazes, J-2 - Tradeston? :slight_smile:

9

orys:
I seen that on this cbrd web page and I noticed plenty of bridges to nowhere on M8…

Now they at least starting M74 extension - and I am wondering how they will number junctions? Now at Cambuslang we have J1, so it will be J0 - Celtic Stadium, J-1 - Dixon Blazes, J-2 - Tradeston? :slight_smile:

Well when the A74(m) was built it the project was called the M6 DBO. The idea was the A74(m) would become the M6, thats why it is called the A74(m) so that when the ■■■■■■■■■■ Gap was filled in, the A74(m) would then be changed to the M6. Supposedly a lot of the signs on the A74(m) are signed M6 but are covered with a sticker saying A74(m) so that when the ■■■■■■■■■■ Gap is finished it will be all the M6. The sign in the VOSA check point on the A74(m) shows M6.

So maybe the new bit in Glasgow will then be part of the M6 as well and have to be all re-numbered anyways.

but this was planned years ago before devolution and arguments over who was going to fill the ■■■■■■■■■■ gap, now there is talk the scottish government want to retain the name M74 rather than change it to the M6.