A601(M)
A601(M) | |||||||||||||
Location Map ( geo) | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
From: | Carnforth (SD508719) | ||||||||||||
To: | M6 J35 (SD508700) | ||||||||||||
Distance: | 1.3 miles (2.1 km) | ||||||||||||
Met: | A6, M6, B6254 | ||||||||||||
Former Number(s): | M6 | ||||||||||||
Now part of: | A6070, B6601 | ||||||||||||
Highway Authorities | |||||||||||||
Traditional Counties | |||||||||||||
Route outline (key) | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Junction List | |||||||||||||
|
For the all-purpose A601 Derby Inner Ring Road, see A601.
For the original A601 which ran between Luton on the A6 and Bourn Bridge on the A11 and is now part of the A505, see A601 (Luton - Bourn Bridge).
The A601(M) was a short motorway in Lancashire, essentially forming a bypass of Carnforth. It ran from the Carnforth Interchange on the M6 (J35) to J35A and was formerly part of the M6 Lancaster Bypass. The Carnforth Interchange was constructed when the M6 was extended northwards. For many years, it was an unnumbered spur of the M6, however it gained the number A601(M) when the Carnforth Link was constructed to extend the motorway southwards (and complete the bypass of Carnforth) in 1985.
Carnforth Link
In 1985, legislation was enacted to allow the construction of single carriageway road (known as the Carnforth Link), with motorway status and corresponding 70 mph speed limit. This was opened in 1986 and connected the east side of the roundabout to the nearby B6254, to enable quarry traffic from the Over Kellet quarries to bypass Carnforth village. At this time This and the old north-westerly spur were given the number A601(M), which was an odd choice as the A601 is quite elsewhere. The road therefore reached a maximum length of 1.3 miles.
In 2020, the Carnforth Link and circulatory carriageway of the roundabout was downgraded to become the non primary B6601, and a vehicle dealership now fronts onto this road.
Legislation regarding the despecialisation was published in February 2023 and featured in the Gazette in March of that year, meaning that the remaining northern half of the motorway was downgraded to an all-purpose road, as part of the A6070, with the speed limit being dropped to 50mph, and the hard shoulder planned to be grassed over[1].
Future Plans
In 2018 there were plans for a large amount of development on the west side of the A601(M). The effects of this would be to incorporate a new roundabout into the northern section.
Opening Dates
References
Links
- Roads.org.uk: Imperfectly Odd - The A601(M) 27.07.2020 (archive.org)
- CBRD Motorway Database
- Pathetic Motorways
- Jacobs A601(M) Assessment Report v4 August 2019 (archive.org)
legislation.gov.uk
- The Lancashire County Council (A601(M) Partial Revocation) Scheme 2019 Confirmation Instrument 2020 - This downgrades the roundabout and southern section to all purpose
- The Lancashire County Council (A601(M) Partial Revocation) Scheme 2022 Confirmation Instrument 2023 - This downgrades the northern section to Primary A Road