Long distance direction signs

The study of British and Irish roads - their construction, numbering, history, mapping, past and future official roads proposals and general roads musings.

There is a separate forum for Street Furniture (traffic lights, street lights, road signs etc).

Registered users get access to other forums including discussions about other forms of transport, driving, fantasy roads and wishlists, and roads quizzes.

Moderator: Site Management Team

Post Reply
Guvva_303
Member
Posts: 41
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2002 11:01

Long distance direction signs

Post by Guvva_303 »

We often see signs on motorways saying, for example, "For the North West & M6, use Junction 23A" (when travelling past J22 of the M1 northbound).
However, I spotted one that seems really out of place, going clockwise on the M25 towards J5, saying "For the South West follow M3". Does anyone know the significance of this, seeming as J5 (A21) doesnt even vaguely go in a south-west direction? Also are there any other signs like this?
Toby
Top
Gavin
Member
Posts: 540
Joined: Wed Aug 28, 2002 02:29

Post by Gavin »

Its an attempt at trying to keep long distance traffic where it belongs, on the motorway, you will find that areas near those signs may well have been bothered with traffic using rat runs to bypass busy sections of road.
Also it is giving directions to people that dont really know the area sort of advance advance warnings if you like
Gavin
Top
t1(M)
Member
Posts: 7281
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2002 23:15
Location: kingston-upon-thames

Post by t1(M) »

Further round the M25, there is "For Stansted follow Harlow". I think the idea is to minimise the number of names on the signposts.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “British and Irish Roads”