Should M62 be M1x (for example M19)?

[gepree68]

As shown above, the motorway M62 is in Zone 6 and Zone 1.

Given that 1 is smaller than 6, does that mean M62 should have been called M1x instead, for example M19?

[Bryn666]

M1 M62.png
As shown above, the motorway M62 is in Zone 6 and Zone 1.

Given that 1 is smaller than 6, does that mean M62 should have been called M1x instead, for example M19?

No, because it starts in Zone 6 and crosses clockwise into Zone 1.

[Ambosc79]

It starts in zone 5? Could have been M59 as I suppose it's more or less parallel to the A59....

Or maybe they had earmarked that number for elsewhere (one further north nearer the A59?)

[Steven]

M1 M62.png
As shown above, the motorway M62 is in Zone 6 and Zone 1.

Given that 1 is smaller than 6, does that mean M62 should have been called M1x instead, for example M19?

No.

Otherwise every road that crossed the 6/1 zone boundary (whether that be the motorway zones or the all-purpose zones) would have to have a number that would start with a 1. They clearly don't.

It starts in zone 5? Could have been M59 as I suppose it's more or less parallel to the A59....

As usual, the SABRE Wiki has the answer: M52

[Bryn666]

It starts in zone 5? Could have been M59 as I suppose it's more or less parallel to the A59....

Or maybe they had earmarked that number for elsewhere (one further north nearer the A59?)

The M52 and M62 were two separate routes, hence why there is a TOTSO at Eccles.

The M59 was the allocated number for the Preston-Ormskirk motorway.

[KeithW]

It starts in zone 5? Could have been M59 as I suppose it's more or less parallel to the A59....

Or maybe they had earmarked that number for elsewhere (one further north nearer the A59?)

The M59 was intended to run from Liverpool to Preston but was never built.
https://pathetic.org.uk/unbuilt/m59/

[nowster]

The M52 and M62 were two separate routes, hence why there is a TOTSO at Eccles.

It's not just a TOTSO but a silent multiplex.

When the M60 came into existence in 2000-ish would have been an obvious opportunity to split the numbers and reduce confusion.

However, the plan for the M62 Relief Road (cancelled) would probably have been why the numbers didn't change then.

[Owain]

M1 M62.png
As shown above, the motorway M62 is in Zone 6 and Zone 1.

Given that 1 is smaller than 6, does that mean M62 should have been called M1x instead, for example M19?

No.

Otherwise every road that crossed the 6/1 zone boundary (whether that be the motorway zones or the all-purpose zones) would have to have a number that would start with a 1. They clearly don't.

It starts in zone 5? Could have been M59 as I suppose it's more or less parallel to the A59....

As usual, the SABRE Wiki has the answer: M52

If anything, it would make more sense for the Liverpool-Manchester leg to take that number, rather than be renumbering the far longer stretch.

[gepree68]

As shown above, the motorway M62 is in Zone 6 and Zone 1.

[Should] M62 [...] have been called M1x instead, for example M19?

No.

Otherwise every road that crossed the 6/1 zone boundary (whether that be the motorway zones or the all-purpose zones) would have to have a number that would start with a 1. They clearly don't.

So are M62 and M25 following the same rules then?

Both M62 and M25 cross M1 and keep their number even though they are moving into Zone 1.

[Steven]

Both M62 and M25 cross M1 and keep their number even though they are moving into Zone 1.

The numbering system states that numbers should be taken from the furthest anticlockwise zone they enter, not the lowest numbered zone.

The M25 starts in motorway zone 2, and then travels entirely clockwise, so it doesn't matter at all what zones it enters on its way to its end point.

[Chris5156]

So are M62 and M25 following the same rules then?

Yes. You only have to look at the A-roads to see that you can take roads from higher numbered zones into zone 1. Follow the A1 and you'll find it is crossed by dozens, if not hundreds, of roads from the 4, 5 and 6-zones. None of them need zone 1 numbers.

[SouthWest Philip]

So are M62 and M25 following the same rules then?

Yes. You only have to look at the A-roads to see that you can take roads from higher numbered zones into zone 1. Follow the A1 and you'll find it is crossed by dozens, if not hundreds, of roads from the 4, 5 and 6-zones. None of them need zone 1 numbers.

Out of idle curiosity, by my count it is 87 roads from zones 4, 5 & 6 that cross over the A1.

Around 20 roads from zone 1 cross over to the wrong side of the A1 into zone 6, most notably the A14.

There are 7 or 8 Zone 6 roads that meet the A1 but are entirely within zone 1, excluding at least a couple more that don't even meet with the A1. (Some maps suggest A6001 no longer exists.)

[NICK 647063]

It’s pretty simple it doesn’t matter what zones a road crosses it’s where it started!

The A64 for example starts in zone 6 Leeds but after 10 miles it’s in zone 1 for the remaining 60 miles, but it starts in zone 6 so that’s why it has the number it does.

The M62 number is actually incorrect from a zone point of view, it starts at its furthest anticlockwise point in zone 5, passing through zone 6 into zone 1, so it should be an M5x number, regardless of any TOTSO at Manchester, it starts in zone 5.

[Bryn666]

It’s pretty simple it doesn’t matter what zones a road crosses it’s where it started!

The A64 for example starts in zone 6 Leeds but after 10 miles it’s in zone 1 for the remaining 60 miles, but it starts in zone 6 so that’s why it has the number it does.

The M62 number is actually incorrect from a zone point of view, it starts at its furthest anticlockwise point in zone 5, passing through zone 6 into zone 1, so it should be an M5x number, regardless of any TOTSO at Manchester, it starts in zone 5.

It does but that isn't the original plan - the M52 across South Lancashire was replaced with M62 because the Ministry wanted a coast to coast (thereabouts) route having a single number.

The working title for the Stretford Bypass was actually A575(M), it opened as M62 and then 10 years later was split to create the M63.

[GillsPeter]

It does but that isn't the original plan - the M52 across South Lancashire was replaced with M62 because the Ministry wanted a coast to coast (thereabouts) route having a single number.

So shouldn't it have all been M52?

[Bryn666]

It does but that isn't the original plan - the M52 across South Lancashire was replaced with M62 because the Ministry wanted a coast to coast (thereabouts) route having a single number.

So shouldn't it have all been M52?

Probably, but most of the M62 was already open before the South Lancashire section was. The number had been established already so this is what was used.

The only people who actually care about road numbers following arbitrary rules are roadgeeks, the system was created to give administrators something to aim for but it isn't a legally binding arrangement and if the MoT had wanted to number it the B7 they would've been well within their rights to.

[jgharston]

It starts in zone 5? Could have been M59 as I suppose it's more or less parallel to the A59....

As usual, the SABRE Wiki has the answer: M52

West of the M60 it should be M57, then Eccles Bypass then Mancunian Way all to the A57. That then also fixes the "start in Zone 6" issue.

[nowster]

West of the M60 it should be M57, then Eccles Bypass then Mancunian Way all to the A57. That then also fixes the "start in Zone 6" issue.

Unlike Scotland, motorways are not numbered according to the A roads routes they replace. Also M57 is already taken.

Had there been continuous motorway from Liverpool, through Manchester, to Sheffield, the M57 would probably have been a very tempting number for the whole length.

[jgharston]

West of the M60 it should be M57, then Eccles Bypass then Mancunian Way all to the A57. That then also fixes the "start in Zone 6" issue.

Unlike Scotland, motorways are not numbered according to the A roads routes they replace. Also M57 is already taken.

Yeah, but back then it wasn't. And the M62 follows the route of the A62.

[Chris5156]

And the M62 follows the route of the A62.

Partly, yes, but seemingly not by design. The number M62 was allocated long before any of it went near the A62.