A34
A34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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From: | Winchester (SU498304) | |||||||||||||||||||||
To: | Salford (SJ831985) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Via: | Newbury, Oxford, Solihull, Birmingham, Walsall, Stafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Manchester | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance: | 200 miles (321.9 km) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Meets: | M3, M4, M6, M6 Toll, M40, M42, M56, M60, A5, A6, A57(M), A303, A500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Former Number(s): | A42, A43, A421, A449, A455 A526, B5221 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Old route now: | A44, A429, A3400, B3335 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Primary Destinations | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stafford • Stratford-upon-Avon • Walsall • Manchester • Birmingham • Winchester • Newbury • Oxford • Cannock • Stone • Congleton • Newcastle-under-Lyme • Stoke-on-Trent • Solihull • Salford | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Highway Authorities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
National Highways • Birmingham • Cheshire East • Manchester • Salford • Sandwell • Solihull • Staffordshire • Stockport • Stoke-on-Trent • Walsall | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Traditional Counties | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Berkshire • Cheshire • Gloucestershire • Hampshire • Lancashire • Oxfordshire • Staffordshire • Warwickshire • Worcestershire | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Route outline (key) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The A34 is a major route from the ports on the South Coast of England to the Midlands and the North West, with the standard varying from rural dual carriageway sections in the south to urban single carriageway in the north, and everything else in between.
For many years the A34 coincided for most of its length with the Winchester-Preston trunk road. Going north the two separated at the A5011 junction north of Talke near Kidsgrove. North of this point the A34 has never been trunk.
Curiously, at much the same time that the M6 was being built between Stafford and Barthomley, the parallel section of A34 was being dualled. It is not known how this came about.
Sections
Originally the A34 was an important and much-extended road across the country, being slowly improved throughout time. After part of it was downgraded in 1991, the A34 was divided into two distinct halves, as explained below:
Section 1: Winchester - Oxford
The A34 is known most for being a high-speed dual carriageway linking the M3 at Winchester to the M4 near Newbury and the M40 near Oxford. This is the oldest section of the road: in the pre-motorway era the role of the M3 would have been represented by the A33, M4 the A4 and M40 the A41.
Section 2: Solihull – Salford
The second, longer, section of the road is mostly single carriageway and only of regional importance, winding through all the towns en route. It was the product of an extension from Oxford to Salford, and then left disconnected after the opening of the M40 saw part of the extension downgraded.
Former Section: Oxford – Solihull
This section was the result of the first extension, taking over the A42. It was then downgraded in 1991 following the opening of the M40, with the majority of the road now being numbered A3400.
Significant Improvements and Opening Dates
Do you want to know when an A34 bypass or dual carriageway section was built? This article tables each scheme from Winchester to Manchester and can be also be listed in date or location order. Includes tables for the continuous dual carriageway from Winchester to M40, early single carriageway schemes and superceded sections.
Videos
Stobart Rail - Alderley Edge - Time Lapse
Alderley Edge - 30m span new bridge construction to accommodte line passing over new by-pass.
Checking out the new Alderley Edge bypass (A34)
Ethel the 3500S celebrates passing her 125000th mile by sprinting up the new A34 - pity about the other cars getting in the way!
Last Day of the Perry Barr Flyover
Despite protests, the flyover is being removed. It's on the A34 in north Birmingham, at the junction with the A453.
Links
legislation.gov.uk
Roads UK
BBC News
- A34 safety improvements planned for problem route (22.07.2019)