What is a 'T' road (as shown on Wiki)?. Seems to be a defunct road in England.

Category:T Roads (Britain) - sources and info there.

Many thanks. 'T' = Trunk.

I think the Roads UK page, linked from the Wiki page linked above, should say "Trunk Roads Act 1936" rather than "Transport Act 1936".

How the heck did I manage to let that one slip through? Anyway, its now corrected.

Also, on your .pdf Stourbridge rather than Stonebridge at the beginning of the T42 (that one slipped by me) and T22 gets called T18 for some reason (probably as it's a more sensible number).

Likewise "Middlesborough" just winds people from Teesside up!

I'll get Stonebridge amended too

The T18 is shown as so as that is what appears on the map image I have... perhaps the DoT were indecisive over what to number it! Its an official one that was found by Chris M at the National Archives.

The same map shows the T66 as terminating in Middlesbourough, same as the Penrith to Middlesborugh Trunk Road.

Somewhat topical, but a T road can also be a main Irish road under the T and L designations. We put that idea in the shredder in 1977 and signs bearing these old numbers can still be seen in rural parts of Ireland where the council decided to preserve them rather than present them with a skip. The M, N, R and L designations also didn't come into force at the same time. A chronological order follows:

N Roads: 1977
M Roads: 1983
R Roads: 1994, but appeared on road signs since the late 80s. Only Ireland then...
L Roads: c2005

Indeed, and we have all the T roads on the wiki (plus the NI hidden designations) - missing many of the L roads (new and old versions).

Yes, but it's spelt "Middlesbrough", not "...borough". (Despite this, the footy team is always called "Boro".)

So it's pronounced Middles-bruff?

Yes.
And it goes down to well when you say that to the locals.

As you obviously know very well ... no!

I don't think so - my article on the subject mentions T22 and remarks how odd a choice of number it is, and I have diagrams showing T22 running through Brigg in Lincolnshire. Not sure I can find references to T18 in my research.

I'm not doubting your research, of course - but I don't think I can be a source for T18.

Here's an extract of the map itself (still attached to the email you sent way back in 2008!):

On the other hand, it's entirely possible that there was a mass T-road renumber at some point...

If you're blessed with a Teesside accent, Middles-Bruh just rolls off the tongue.