What is the difference between the M1 and the A1(M) motorways

Question

What is the difference between the M1 and the A1(M) motorways

Answer 1

Nothing. Same laws apply.

Answer 2

Two different roads, M1 is a motorway, the A1 is a trunk road that turns into a motorway the A1(M) at Baldock, Herts.

Answer 3

It is just a system of numbering.

When the Special Roads Act was passed (Motorways are legally "Special Roads"), it was acknowledged that the trunk road numbering system devised in the 1920s would not work easily with the new motorway network. So a new system was developed, which, in theory is:

A motorway built as a new road was to be given a number in the M-series, such as the M4 or M1

An existing trunk road that was upgraded or re-built was to be given a (M) suffix after the trunk road number, such as A74(M) or A1(M)

BUT the theory has not been used consistently.

The A329(M) is a new build, parallel to the A329 [so should be numbered M329]

The M896 was originally an upgrade of the A896 [so should be numbered A896(M)]

Then you have the A66(M) which is an extension to the A66, built to motorway standard to avoid constructing a more elaborate interchange with the A1(M) at junction 57!



Even parts of the A1(M) are a new build, with the old A1 renumbered A167.

It would have been better to simply number all motorways in the M-series

Answer 4

TRY GOING PAST LEEDS ON THE M1!!

Answer 5

The MI was specially built as a motorway.

The A1(M) was the old A1 dual carriageway uprated to motorway status.

Answer 6

They are different roads.

The M1 is one of the motorways.

The A1(M) is a section of the A1 on which motorway rules apply (eg, no pedestrians or pedal cycles or mopeds).  

Answer 7

The answer from d01042007 is spot on.

In Northern Ireland, the situation is different in that all motorways are numbered in the M-series.

In the Republic of Ireland, primary roads are numbered in the N-series and motorways are numbered in the M-series

Answer 8

Not sure as to what the question seeks.

They are different roads in different places.

The reason that A1 is followed with the suffix "(M)" is because the entire A1 was not motroway but now parts of it have been upgraded to motorway status.In some parts the A1 and A1(M) are actually separate scetions of road altogether.

Answer 9

Thge M1 is motorway from start to finish, the A1  is an ordinary road, then Motorway, then back to two lanes only,  then Motorway again, when it changes from the A1 to A1(M) where motorway rules apply.

Answer 10

The A1 is the longest numbered road in the UK at 409 miles (658 km) long

The M1 is a major south – north motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where it joins the A1(M) near Aberford