M12 (Northern Ireland)

[Bryn666]

So why does the map say M8??

Because maps are not perfect.

[Big L]

So why does the map say M8??

Because maps are not perfect.

Could be a copyright trap.

[Berk]

Oh I know they make some errors on purpose like that. But to put a wrong number seems a bit glaring.

[AnOrdinarySABREUser]

Oh I know they make some errors on purpose like that. But to put a wrong number seems a bit glaring.

Interestingly, the “A8(M)” is signed as the M8 on all of the roundabout approaches to the smaller roundabout. Even the chopsticks sign confirms it to be the M8, albeit in a multiplex with the M73. The spur is signed as the A8 exiting the larger roundabout which is down to the fact that the spur leads to the A8. It’s important to note that all signage approaching the smaller roundabout makes no mention of the A8(M), which means that the A8(M) is now a secretive motorway or no longer exists.

[AndyB]

I’ve had a wee nosy, and my best guess, based on the references to A8(M) in TTROs on the M8/A8/A8(M) Edinburgh-Greenock Trunk Road, that it is officially the A8(M) but they realised that it was of no benefit to road users to sign it other than by the roads it led to a very short distance later.

[Berk]

Oh I know they make some errors on purpose like that. But to put a wrong number seems a bit glaring.

Interestingly, the “A8(M)” is signed as the M8 on all of the roundabout approaches to the smaller roundabout. Even the chopsticks sign confirms it to be the M8, albeit in a multiplex with the M73. The spur is signed as the A8 exiting the larger roundabout which is down to the fact that the spur leads to the A8. It’s important to note that all signage approaching the smaller roundabout makes no mention of the A8(M), which means that the A8(M) is now a secretive motorway or no longer exists.

But it was the A8, before that was diverted. This is not a new road at all.

[SouthWest Philip]

But it was the A8, before that was diverted. This is not a new road at all.

Yes and no. The whole spur was realigned and rebuilt as part of the M8 completion project.

[Steven]

Oh I know they make some errors on purpose like that. But to put a wrong number seems a bit glaring.

Interestingly, the “A8(M)” is signed as the M8 on all of the roundabout approaches to the smaller roundabout. Even the chopsticks sign confirms it to be the M8, albeit in a multiplex with the M73. The spur is signed as the A8 exiting the larger roundabout which is down to the fact that the spur leads to the A8. It’s important to note that all signage approaching the smaller roundabout makes no mention of the A8(M), which means that the A8(M) is now a secretive motorway or no longer exists.

But it was the A8, before that was diverted. This is not a new road at all.

This is not the case. The A8 ran a short distance to the north of the present A8(M).

Use of the Map Fader functionality on SABRE Maps shows the difference. The A8(M) leaves the large roundabout roughly in the location of the old roundabout exit, and the small roundabout is back on the original line, but the old A8 had a noticeable kink whilst the A8(M) is ruler-straight.

[Bryn666]

Interestingly, the “A8(M)” is signed as the M8 on all of the roundabout approaches to the smaller roundabout. Even the chopsticks sign confirms it to be the M8, albeit in a multiplex with the M73. The spur is signed as the A8 exiting the larger roundabout which is down to the fact that the spur leads to the A8. It’s important to note that all signage approaching the smaller roundabout makes no mention of the A8(M), which means that the A8(M) is now a secretive motorway or no longer exists.

But it was the A8, before that was diverted. This is not a new road at all.

This is not the case. The A8 ran a short distance to the north of the present A8(M).

Use of the Map Fader functionality on SABRE Maps shows the difference. The A8(M) leaves the large roundabout roughly in the location of the old roundabout exit, and the small roundabout is back on the original line, but the old A8 had a noticeable kink whilst the A8(M) is ruler-straight.

The line of the old A8 is still there as a cycle track complete with the old curved streetlights still lighting it up.

The Scottish Roads Archive have photos of this section when it was first dualled and it's fascinating to do before and afters on.

[Owain]

But it was the A8, before that was diverted. This is not a new road at all.

This is not the case. The A8 ran a short distance to the north of the present A8(M).

Use of the Map Fader functionality on SABRE Maps shows the difference. The A8(M) leaves the large roundabout roughly in the location of the old roundabout exit, and the small roundabout is back on the original line, but the old A8 had a noticeable kink whilst the A8(M) is ruler-straight.

The line of the old A8 is still there as a cycle track complete with the old curved streetlights still lighting it up.

The Scottish Roads Archive have photos of this section when it was first dualled and it's fascinating to do before and afters on.

Given Northern Ireland's penchant for micro-motorways, I do find it strange that they didn't just call it M8.

[wallmeerkat]

I'm getting confused

This is not the case. The A8 ran a short distance to the north of the present A8(M).

Use of the Map Fader functionality on SABRE Maps shows the difference. The A8(M) leaves the large roundabout roughly in the location of the old roundabout exit, and the small roundabout is back on the original line, but the old A8 had a noticeable kink whilst the A8(M) is ruler-straight.

The line of the old A8 is still there as a cycle track complete with the old curved streetlights still lighting it up.

The Scottish Roads Archive have photos of this section when it was first dualled and it's fascinating to do before and afters on.

Given Northern Ireland's penchant for micro-motorways, I do find it strange that they didn't just call it M8.

This evolved into a discussion of the Scottish A8(M)

There is a pointless NI A8(M) a brief stretch of motorway that was built and apparently intended to be part of the M2. It amazes me that plans back then could be so fluid that they could just build a stretch of motorway then decide to re-route the mainline.

[nowster]

This evolved into a discussion of the Scottish A8(M)

There is a pointless NI A8(M) a brief stretch of motorway that was built and apparently intended to be part of the M2. It amazes me that plans back then could be so fluid that they could just build a stretch of motorway then decide to re-route the mainline.

The Scottish A8(M) leads to a roundabout under motorway restrictions (between M8 and M73). The NI A8(M) leads to one not under such restrictions (between M2, A6 and B90).

The M23 Gatwick spur is 0.8 mile and leads to a roundabout under motorway restrictions. The A627(M) Slattocks link is only half a mile. The A6144(M) is 1.2 miles and leads only to a roundabout with the only exits (other than turning around) being slip roads under motorway restrictions, yet was downgraded when the roundabout was widened. Consistency?

[Chris5156]

Given Northern Ireland's penchant for micro-motorways, I do find it strange that they didn't just call it M8.

There were plans for an M8 elsewhere in the province, so presumably another number was needed. As a spur of the M2, M20 would have worked, or M24.

[AndyB]

I think the bottom line on this was that when built, it was declared as a Special Road and Motorway, so that’s how it remained.

Fundamentally, it’s not doing any harm.

[Steven]

I think the bottom line on this was that when built, it was declared as a Special Road and Motorway, so that’s how it remained.

Fundamentally, it’s not doing any harm.

Indeed. We should have more Special Roads in relevant places, not less.

[Berk]

I think the bottom line on this was that when built, it was declared as a Special Road and Motorway, so that’s how it remained.

Fundamentally, it’s not doing any harm.

Indeed. We should have more Special Roads in relevant places, not less.

Anything that keeps Anglian Water/Severn Trent at bay.

[AndyB]

Actually, NI is the one place where the Water Company would definitely have that influence. NIWater is a GoCo (Government Company) sponsored by the Department for Infrastructure, which is also responsible for the roads.

[Bryn666]

I think the bottom line on this was that when built, it was declared as a Special Road and Motorway, so that’s how it remained.

Fundamentally, it’s not doing any harm.

Indeed. We should have more Special Roads in relevant places, not less.

Happy Car Roads.

[IJP1]

Also, the Ballymena Bypass can't randomly just become the "M26" as we don't align M and A numbers (currently).

I don’t think that’s a reason it can’t happen. The number M26 is vacant, and NI has no rules that say where it can or can’t be applied, so if it was decided to change the number of the Ballymena Bypass M26 could surely be used.

It could be used, but so could any number. The point is that using it wouldn't fit any existing pattern.

[Chris Bertram]

Also, the Ballymena Bypass can't randomly just become the "M26" as we don't align M and A numbers (currently).

I don’t think that’s a reason it can’t happen. The number M26 is vacant, and NI has no rules that say where it can or can’t be applied, so if it was decided to change the number of the Ballymena Bypass M26 could surely be used.

It could be used, but so could any number. The point is that using it wouldn't fit any existing pattern.

A26(M) it is, then.