"Distinctive" 4-digit numbers

[jon81]

Hi, looking to find out how Axxxx or Bxxxx numbers are allocated apart from chronologically or moved from elsewhere? For example A5271 (Keswick) or B6918 (near Newcastle airport) where there are obvious gaps in the sequence. Sometimes it seems to be based on the local main road eg A2990 or just adding 00 on the end (eg A4300) but sometimes there doesn't seem to be any pattern at all eg most recently B5704.

[rileyrob]

Some obvious Scottish ones:

The recent A8082 and older A7066 are both upgrades of the B road of the same number.
The A9000 could be argued as being in sequence, except for the gaps in the A99x range - it is really an A90-00.
Aberdeen has the A9011/2/3
There is also the B7201, which I think took its number from the B720.

There are some apparent gaps in the A80xx sequence which I keep hunting for, but haven't found yet, and the A8005 and A8015 seem to substantially pre-date the A8003,4,6 so there is some doubt as to whether these numbers were ever used in sequence.

[tipsynurse]

Everything you could want to know (and more)

http://www.cbrd.co.uk/articles/road-num ... nd-b-roads

[jon81]

Quite a few numbering systems seem to be used. For example, root-and-branch (eg A4971), in geographic batches (eg A45xx roads in Worcester and Telford area) or to commemorate an event (A1237), to show a tenuous link between two main roads (B5605, A3604). Any other ideas? Still a few mysteries such as A1434 and B4696.

[wrinkly]

When the Black Country Spine Road was built the local authorities wanted a distinctive number. I assume all the suitable 3-digit numbers had been used up, and they got A4444.

[Bfivethousand]

Hi, looking to find out how Axxxx or Bxxxx numbers are allocated apart from chronologically or moved from elsewhere? For example A5271 (Keswick)

Not sure, it's not as if it's unique or anything

[KeithW]

The only one of these roads were that seems to have had any significance is the A1000 which between East Finchley and Hatfield follows the original line of the A1 and many sections are still called the Great North Road.

[trickstat]

The only one of these roads were that seems to have had any significance is the A1000 which between East Finchley and Hatfield follows the original line of the A1 and many sections are still called the Great North Road.

There's also the B4100 that is used for 2 downgraded sections of the A41.

[Chris Bertram]

There's also the B4100 that is used for 2 downgraded and widely separated sections of the A41.

FTFY

[vlad]

Hi, looking to find out how Axxxx or Bxxxx numbers are allocated apart from chronologically or moved from elsewhere? For example A5271 (Keswick)

Not sure, it's not as if it's unique or anything

You can certainly argue that the Stoke one has a better claim to the number as it follows part of the pre-bypass A527. However, the Keswick one was there first (by some years as far as I can tell). I've no idea where the number came from - it fits in with the other local Class I roads by ending in 1 but it's not as though it's the lowest A5xxx number that wasn't in use.

[Owain]

The only one of these roads were that seems to have had any significance is the A1000 which between East Finchley and Hatfield follows the original line of the A1 and many sections are still called the Great North Road.

There's also the B4100 that is used for 2 downgraded sections of the A41.

A3400 .... which is out-of-zone, such was their desperation to preserve the link to the historic A34. Several Sabristi are of the opinion that it should have been A434, and I'd agree.

[jon81]

Are there any 4-digit numbers that could be based on a local numbering system eg upgraded C-roads? In a previous thread it suggests that the (unbuilt) A5225 was numbered because of an Lancashire "route 225" numbering (Wigan NBC A5225 scheme discussion).

[ScottB5411]

The only one of these roads were that seems to have had any significance is the A1000 which between East Finchley and Hatfield follows the original line of the A1 and many sections are still called the Great North Road.

There's also the B4100 that is used for 2 downgraded sections of the A41.

A3400 .... which is out-of-zone, such was their desperation to preserve the link to the historic A34. Several Sabristi are of the opinion that it should have been A434, and I'd agree.

Why didn't they just leave it as the A34 then instead of fooling around with a huge renumbering excercise?

[Gareth Thomas]

We have the A2070 here in Kent which was an upgraded B2070, so it fits in with the other B206x and B207x routes in the area.

[jon81]

Just bumping the thread, a few suggestions for distinctive numbers - could they numbered to commemorate a year of a major local historical event? It's a bit of a long shot though. So here goes: A1237 Treaty of York (1237), A1434 building of Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire (1434), A3807 Abolition of Slavery Act (1807), A5271 (Keswick) Founding of Keswick (1271), B5704 Battle of Blenheim and birth year of John Byng (1704). Any other ideas?

[Big Nick]

I'd love to see the A2100 be renumbered as the B1066.

[Peter350]

The A2000 and A2052 should have swapped places as soon as the Millennium Dome was opened

[Bfivethousand]

Maybe the A4040 should become the UB4040...

[Bryn666]

The A5758 Brooms Cross Road connects to the M57 and M58....

[avtur]

Oooops ...when I saw the thread title my immediate thought was 4 digit numbers on car registrations ... that took me back to a registration I really wish I had kept.

In the late 70's I ran an Austin A35 with the number "9045 E" while it means absolutely nothing it would be distinctly different in today's world, I wish I'd been able to retain that number somehow.