A8(M) motorway (Northern Ireland): Difference between revisions
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The A8(M) does not meet any other motorways directly, with one end connecting to the [[A8 road (Ireland)|A8]], and the other connecting to the [[A6 road (Northern Ireland)|A6]]. The [[roundabout]] junction which links the A8(M) to the M2<ref name="cbrd">[http://www.cbrd.co.uk/motorway/a8m-ni/ CBRD Motorway Database - A8(M) (NI)] URL accessed 17 June 2006</ref> is the A6. |
The A8(M) does not meet any other motorways directly, with one end connecting to the [[A8 road (Ireland)|A8]], and the other connecting to the [[A6 road (Northern Ireland)|A6]]. The [[roundabout]] junction which links the A8(M) to the M2<ref name="cbrd">[http://www.cbrd.co.uk/motorway/a8m-ni/ CBRD Motorway Database - A8(M) (NI)] URL accessed 17 June 2006</ref> is the A6. |
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Although both sides of the road are the same width, the northbound direction has three lanes, one of which is only partly open to traffic, while southbound only has two<ref name="cbrd" /> |
Although both sides of the road are the same width, the northbound direction has three lanes, one of which is only partly open to traffic, while southbound only has two.<ref name="cbrd" /> Despite being one of the shortest motorways in Northern Ireland, it still includes [[Variable message sign|matrix displays]]<ref name="pathetic">[http://pathetic.org.uk/current/a8m/ Pathetic motorways - A8(M)] URL accessed 17 June 2006</ref> and is classified as a separate road, unlike other similar spurs, such as the [[M65 motorway#Walton Summit motorway|Walton Summit motorway]] spur of the [[M65 motorway]], which are classified as parts of other motorways. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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In 1956 proposals for several motorways, including the M2, were announced with the M2 running directly to [[Ballymena]]<ref name="nirsmh">[http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/historymotorwayplans.html Northern Ireland Roads Site - History of Motorway Plans]</ref> |
In 1956 proposals for several motorways, including the M2, were announced with the M2 running directly to [[Ballymena]].<ref name="nirsmh">[http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/historymotorwayplans.html Northern Ireland Roads Site - History of Motorway Plans]</ref> Part of this alignment became the A8(M) when in 1964 further plans changed the route of the M2 via Antrim to [[Coleraine]],<ref name="nirsmh" /> away from its original direct alignment over difficult [[terrain]],<ref name="ma">[http://www.iht.org/motorway/m2ni.htm The Motorway Archive - M2 (Northern Ireland)]</ref> which is how the plans for construction were then progressed. This road was already under construction at [[Newtownabbey]], so it was left as a spur. |
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This section was renamed the A8(M) as it links to the A8 continuing as an [[Great Britain road numbering scheme|A-road]] all the way to [[Larne]]<ref name="wesley">[http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a8m.html Northern Ireland Roads Site - A8(M)]</ref> |
This section was renamed the A8(M) as it links to the A8 continuing as an [[Great Britain road numbering scheme|A-road]] all the way to [[Larne]].<ref name="wesley">[http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a8m.html Northern Ireland Roads Site - A8(M)]</ref> |
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== Junctions == |
== Junctions == |
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*[http://www.iht.org/motorway/m2ni.htm The Motorway Archive - M2 (Northern Ireland)] |
*[http://www.iht.org/motorway/m2ni.htm The Motorway Archive - M2 (Northern Ireland)] |
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*[http://pathetic.org.uk/current/a8m/ Pathetic Motorways: A8(M)] |
*[http://pathetic.org.uk/current/a8m/ Pathetic Motorways: A8(M)] |
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{{Northern Irish roads}} |
{{Northern Irish roads}} |
Revision as of 17:28, 29 January 2012
A8(M) | |
---|---|
Route information | |
Part of E01 | |
Length | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
Existed | 1966–present |
Major junctions | |
North end | Newtownabbey |
South end | Newtownabbey |
Location | |
Country | United Kingdom |
Road network | |
The A8(M) is a motorway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is 1 mile (1.6 km) long and is a spur of the M2 motorway. It was opened on 24 October 1966[1] and built at the same time as the M2 section to which it connects. It is part of the unsigned European routes E01 and E18.
The A8(M) does not meet any other motorways directly, with one end connecting to the A8, and the other connecting to the A6. The roundabout junction which links the A8(M) to the M2[2] is the A6.
Although both sides of the road are the same width, the northbound direction has three lanes, one of which is only partly open to traffic, while southbound only has two.[2] Despite being one of the shortest motorways in Northern Ireland, it still includes matrix displays[3] and is classified as a separate road, unlike other similar spurs, such as the Walton Summit motorway spur of the M65 motorway, which are classified as parts of other motorways.
History
In 1956 proposals for several motorways, including the M2, were announced with the M2 running directly to Ballymena.[4] Part of this alignment became the A8(M) when in 1964 further plans changed the route of the M2 via Antrim to Coleraine,[4] away from its original direct alignment over difficult terrain,[5] which is how the plans for construction were then progressed. This road was already under construction at Newtownabbey, so it was left as a spur.
This section was renamed the A8(M) as it links to the A8 continuing as an A-road all the way to Larne.[6]
Junctions
A8(M) motorway | ||
Northbound exits | Junction | Southbound exits |
Larne A8 Ballyclare, Newtownabbey B56 |
J1 Terminus |
Start of motorway |
Start of motorway | M2 J4 Terminus |
Belfast, Dublin M2 Antrim, Mallusk A6 Newtonabbey B90 |
See also
References
- ^ The Motorway Archive - M2 Northern Ireland Dates page
- ^ a b CBRD Motorway Database - A8(M) (NI) URL accessed 17 June 2006
- ^ Pathetic motorways - A8(M) URL accessed 17 June 2006
- ^ a b Northern Ireland Roads Site - History of Motorway Plans
- ^ The Motorway Archive - M2 (Northern Ireland)
- ^ Northern Ireland Roads Site - A8(M)