Exactly 60 years ago today (5 December 1958), 2,300 drivers drove along a new road for the first time…and straight into the history books. The eight-mile section of road they were driving on was the Preston bypass the very first motorway in Britain, which is now part of the M6.5 Dec 2018
When were motorways built in the UK?
1958
Where was the first motorway in the UK?
Preston Bypass
When did England get highways?
Work began on what would become the first motorway in the UK in 1956. A dual 2-lane road to the east of Preston, which would eventually be known as the Preston Bypass. Preston was chosen as its location in the North frequently became a bottleneck for long distance traffic.2 Dec 2020
Was the M6 the first motorway?
Britain's first stretch of motorway, the M6 near Preston, was opened on this day in 1958.4 Dec 2017
What was the first motorway?
Historical map of the original A8-A9 motorway, Italy. The first motorway ever built in the world was opened on 21 September 1924.