Roads in the UK: Facts
The Romans built 2,000 miles worth of roads for military and commercial purposes between 43 and 410 AD. British roads today cover more than 200,000 km and are supported by hundreds of highway projects.
M1 – If you feel that getting stuck in traffic is a chore, it’s at least relatively safe. The M1 was a dangerous trap when it first opened in November 1959. It had no speed limits, no collision barriers, and even no central reservations.
The oldest road of England – Ridgeway, which runs between Wiltshire & Berkshire is over 5,000 years old. Nottingham was the first city to build a road using tarmac. It was constructed in 1902.
The M6 bypass was built in Preston in 1958. It is eight miles long. It, like all other roads, are kept safe by signage and chevrons. For Chapter 8 chevrons, visit https://www.pvluk.com/chapter-8-chevrons
The M6 is the longest toll road. It runs from Catthorpe, Leicestershire to the Scottish Borders. The road is 236 miles long.
Potholes are responsible for around a third (32%) of all mechanical problems that occur on UK roads, costing British motorists approximately £2.8 billion per year.
Pedestrian crossings have been in existence since 1943. However, black and white lines weren’t added until 1951.
According to Department of Transportation, if all roads in England were joined, you would go into space, pass the moon and travel more than 238,000 miles.
Edgar Hooley was the inventor of asphalt. In 1901, Edgar Hooley was inspired by a road that was smooth and slick near the iron works. When he inquired about what happened, he learned that a barrel had been spilled. He patented a method in 1902 for heating tar and adding slag, then breaking the stones into the mixture. This created a smoother road surface.
Traffic jams – London drivers spend on average 101 hours in traffic per year, while the UK average is only 30.
The first traffic lights were operated manually. In 1868, a flaming gas sign was installed outside Westminster’s Parliament Building.
Haunted Road – The M6 has been rated one of England’s scariest roads, and some of its most frequent ghost sightings have occurred there. Ghosts of Roman soldiers and a woman who is crazy beside the road have been reported.
Pothole Size in England: The latest data indicates that all the potholes in the UK would make one hole 295 square miles in size, which is twice as large as the Isle of Wight.
