These Motorway signs - what do they mean ?

Question

Hi I see signs by the side of the motorway (Specifically North and south of the m6 at preston)

they have the wording on a squre sign M6 Then unerneath 301.9 and a letter - futher on say 1/2 mile the sign is the same but has a slightly different number ie 301.6 etc etc i am intrigued to konow what thes are ?

Answer 1

They're markers so that, if you break down or have an accident, the rescue service/ emergency services know where you are.

If you had a crash and called for an ambulance, and told them "I'm on the M6" it might take that a while to find you.... it's a rather long road.

If you tell them "I'm at 301.9" then they'll know exactly where you are, and the highways agency can create diversions etc in very short notice.

I don't know if it's km or miles- it could be either, in this country. Technically, we work in metric so it should be metres, but seeing as everything else is measured in miles and yards... I don't know

Answer 2

These are distance markers. They come in useful if you break down. When you call the rescue services you quote the number and it helps them find you.

They may refer to the distance from some reference point but if the do it will be in miles. The UK measures distance in miles not kilometres.

Ian M

I'm with Fiona on this one

Ian M

Answer 3

that number is likely a marker for what point in the highway you're at so 301.9 would be 301.9km from the start of the M6, 301.6 would be 301.6 km from the start of the M6

Answer 4

Why ask a question and then say that the three perfectly correct answers are not the real reason.

YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

EVERY motorway has this type of marker on it; it is necessary so that the emergency services can get to an incident QUICKLY.

Or would you rather have the Police call up the Air Ambulance and say "We need you rather quickly - we are somewhere on the M6 between Preston and Birmingham."

IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH WHEN IT GIVEN TO YOU, THEN JUST KEEP AWAY FROM YAHOO ANSWERS.