A303
From Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki
| A303 | |||
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| From: | Popham (SU551446) | ||
| To: | Upottery (ST218075) | ||
| Length: | 95 miles (152.9 km) | ||
| Meets: | M3, A30, A34, A36, A37, A358 | ||
| Former Number(s): | A30, A342, A344, A358, A3036, B3049, B3169, B3170 | ||
| Primary Destinations | |||
| Andover • Basingstoke • | |||
| Highways Authorities | |||
| Traditional Counties | |||
For the original, a small London road which ran between Vauxhall and Wandsworth and was replaced by the A3036, see A303 (Vauxhall - Wandsworth).
The A303 is the middle section of the London-Exeter trunk road. The A303 takes a more northerly route though Salisbury plain than the A30 and it is mostly D2. Passing places like Andover, Stonehenge and Wincanton it also carries much of the Summer traffic from London.
Contents |
Route
The A303 has a variety of standards along its route. From a high quality grade separated dual carriageway in the east, it ends up as a winding single carriageway road in the west, with various standards in between. The route description examines them.
History
The current A303 began life in 1933. Made up of lots of various roads, some dating to 2000 BC in the Stonehenge area, it had had a vast array of improvements. When the M3 opened, the A303 and not the A30 became the main trunk road between Basingstoke and Devonshire House
Notable locations and improvements
Bullington Cross
The first major junction for the A303 after the M3 going West, Bullington Cross is a major junction. This is where the A30 leaves the A303 behind and is the junction for the A34.
Stonehenge Bottom
Stonehenge Bottom is the junction for Stonehenge. It is very busy thoughout the year specally when it is around the time of the Solstice.
Podimore Roundabout
Podimore Roundaboutt links the A303, the A37 and A372. It is flared for future use.
Opening Dates
| Month | Year | Section | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | Whole road | A303 created. | |
| April | 1958 | Whole road | Gains trunk road status |
| Sept | 1969 | Andover | D2 by-pass opens |
| 1986? | Weyhill | D2 by-pass opens | |
| 1960's | Amesbury | D2 by-pass | |
| Mere | D2 by-pass | ||
| Wincanton | D2 by-pass | ||
| Sparkford | D2 by-pass | ||
| 1987 | Ilminster | S2 bypass of Ilminster. | |
| Marsh | D2 by-pass |
Video
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