Oldest Motorway Sign

[MotorwayGuy]

This sign at the bottom end of the M69 may well be the original from when it opened in 1977.

Originally the straight-on had a "No Entry" sign and you can clearly see where it was patched when Coventry Eastern Bypass opened in 1989. The "00" is a patch too.

(Pretty much qualifies for "Manky Signs" as well.)

Interesting. Is the streetlighting in that shot original too?

There's also this, anyone know the purpose of it?

[nowster]

There's also this, anyone know the purpose of it?

It appears to link the M6 to the M1.

But seriously, that link resolves to possibly the blandest bit of the M69.

[Chris5156]

There's also this, anyone know the purpose of it?

It appears to link the M6 to the M1.

But seriously, that link resolves to possibly the blandest bit of the M69.

I think it's in reference to the sliproad stub on the right. The original junction design was for a connection from the roundabout to the M69 southbound to be made via a loop branching off the B4065. When the road was eventually extended south, as the A46 Coventry Eastern Bypass, a connection further south was made instead of this loop.

[Komi san]

Totally random old signs on M898
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1BpLuFiSBWCKgZZRA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cviko4DD8y4R8EsF8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CMUMok1zWBSFTrkG9
These ones are definitely not original 1970 opening but looks like they are standing here for quiet sometime

[nowster]

Totally random old signs on M898
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1BpLuFiSBWCKgZZRA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cviko4DD8y4R8EsF8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CMUMok1zWBSFTrkG9
These ones are definitely not original 1970 opening but looks like they are standing here for quiet sometime

Number two makes me wonder if Dusty Bin is hiding round the back.

And number three will have been patched to remove the toll legend.

(Aside: I wish the various Runcorn crossings were marked as (Toll) from the M56/M62, and similarly the A57 going towards Lincoln from the A1.)

[James1978]

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.9567187 ... &entry=ttu

I've just remembered this one on the M6 which is an RCS just after a services rather than a junction which you just don't get these days. I doubt it dates from when the services was built but possibly just after the M55 was opened in the mid 70s (as before that, southbound traffic heading for Blackpool would have exited at J33)?

[Komi san]

Why this chopstick is patched while M54 was never renumbered?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qKnoBP93o8qt4gXJ7
While this looks ugh.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xygndKYhRrHVhykE6

[Bryn666]

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.9567187 ... &entry=ttu

I've just remembered this one on the M6 which is an RCS just after a services rather than a junction which you just don't get these days. I doubt it dates from when the services was built but possibly just after the M55 was opened in the mid 70s (as before that, southbound traffic heading for Blackpool would have exited at J33)?

It dates from the early 80s when the majority of Anderson signs south of Lancaster started to be phased out, although nearly all of these vintage signs are gone now too. Given it's a long trek to J32 it appears to have been put in as extra reassurance.

[Chris5156]

Why this chopstick is patched while M54 was never renumbered?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qKnoBP93o8qt4gXJ7

I've no idea but it's very strange. The chopsticks symbol seems to be on a patch too. Is it just a sign made in a strange way?

[nowster]

Why this chopstick is patched while M54 was never renumbered?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qKnoBP93o8qt4gXJ7

I've no idea but it's very strange. The chopsticks symbol seems to be on a patch too. Is it just a sign made in a strange way?

Might it have said A5(M)?

[Chris5156]

Why this chopstick is patched while M54 was never renumbered?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qKnoBP93o8qt4gXJ7

I've no idea but it's very strange. The chopsticks symbol seems to be on a patch too. Is it just a sign made in a strange way?

Might it have said A5(M)?

No, not there. The only part ever known as A5(M) was west of J4; this section opened as M54 in the early 80s.

[Komi san]

I've no idea but it's very strange. The chopsticks symbol seems to be on a patch too. Is it just a sign made in a strange way?

Might it have said A5(M)?

No, not there. The only part ever known as A5(M) was west of J4; this section opened as M54 in the early 80s.

Actually no, A5(M) was supposed to start at Priorslee Interchange and end at current junction 7 of M54

[Komi san]

I've no idea but it's very strange. The chopsticks symbol seems to be on a patch too. Is it just a sign made in a strange way?

Might it have said A5(M)?

No, not there. The only part ever known as A5(M) was west of J4; this section opened as M54 in the early 80s.

Same here.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yftnuZo5otzdDnsH8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aNw4NMfRQ2kuY8eF8
Looks like they were put them last minutes before this section of M66 was renumbered to M60 before opening.

[Chris Bertram]

Might it have said A5(M)?

No, not there. The only part ever known as A5(M) was west of J4; this section opened as M54 in the early 80s.

Actually no, A5(M) was supposed to start at Priorslee Interchange and end at current junction 7 of M54

Priorslee interchange *is* J4.

[nowster]

Same here.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yftnuZo5otzdDnsH8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aNw4NMfRQ2kuY8eF8
Looks like they were put them last minutes before this section of M66 was renumbered to M60 before opening.

I can confirm that these did say M66 before they were plated over. The bridges for the Daisy Nook to Heaton Park section were a much earlier contract, and the signs were erected early on in the second tranche where they built the motorway between the bridges.

[Chris5156]

No, not there. The only part ever known as A5(M) was west of J4; this section opened as M54 in the early 80s.

Actually no, A5(M) was supposed to start at Priorslee Interchange and end at current junction 7 of M54

Priorslee interchange *is* J4.

The original Priorslee Interchange was at the A5 overbridge just west of J4, which was the site of the M54's original eastern terminus. When it was extended east to reach the M6, the original Priorslee junction was removed, and a new one provided at present-day J4.

All of which means the A5(M) was west of J4. It didn't reach present-day J4, but it was entirely west of there

[nowster]

Thanks everyone for the feedback about Motorways Merge signs!

Is this the newest "Motorways Merge" sign? https://goo.gl/maps/qSosW5Xz4nhXNmyTA

[Osthagen]

Thanks everyone for the feedback about Motorways Merge signs!

Is this the newest "Motorways Merge" sign? https://goo.gl/maps/qSosW5Xz4nhXNmyTA

This on the A194(M) South approaching the A1(M) J65 might not be the newest (though the signs look post-1994), but it's definitely the most questionable accuracy-wise, seeing as the A1 isn't a motorway north of the junction in question.

I have a faint memory of seeing 'motorways merge' on the disputed A168(M), but Street View gives no credence to such a view. I'm sure it was one of those 'secretive' motorways though.

[Darren]

Thanks everyone for the feedback about Motorways Merge signs!

Is this the newest "Motorways Merge" sign? https://goo.gl/maps/qSosW5Xz4nhXNmyTA

No. The M26 one was erected in 2008 (albeit replacing a like-for-like older one), so that's your target to beat!

[tom66]

Thanks everyone for the feedback about Motorways Merge signs!

Is this the newest "Motorways Merge" sign? https://goo.gl/maps/qSosW5Xz4nhXNmyTA

Why is Toll in the wrong font? I thought "Motorway" was supposed to have the characters required to spell "Toll" now.

edit: nevermind, turns out this was only from 2007, so the sign probably predates this!