When UK Motorways were pleasant to drive along

[Gel]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/classi ... motorways/

[PJB729]

And no speed limits, the 70mph limit did not come in until 1965, not that it mattered much as not many cars would do 70mph

[scimitargtc]

Another way is do what I did and retire

[trout]

Still very pretty in Cumbria, once I get to the Lune valley on my way back from the airport I know I’m home.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pics+ ... FPZroVp72M:
S.

[be4morgan]

“If you miss your exit, continue along the carriageway until the next exit”

If driving is as relaxing and easy as before, that road seems peaceful.

[gloucester]

To quote the article:

"The Preston By-pass, opened on December 5 in 1958 and, to modern eyes, it is almost unrecognisable as the future M6. The first British motorway was just eight and a quarter miles in length, the 70mph restriction would not be introduced until December 22 1965, and it was devoid of a third lane and a central barrier. "

Well it looks just like a motorway to me! It DOES have a third lane, it DOES have a central barrier (at least in part), it has a hard shoulder.

EDIT - see below - the picture's from 1969 after widening and upgrading

[gloucester]

Now check out this picture:



Two lanes - no central barrier - an unpaved (?) hard (soft?) shoulder?

https://staging.theoldie.co.uk/article/ ... ton-bypass

People !!! Though it looks like that might be the opening parade?

EDIT - yes - "Harold MacMillan's car led a convoy along the Preston bypass" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7764506.stm)

[gloucester]

I thought so - the picture in the Telegraph (and the Independent) is NOT from 1958 as they're suggesting but actually 1969 !!!

https://www.gettyimages.se/detail/nyhet ... o/78959228

Transport. Motoring. Great Britain. circa 1969. The M6 motorway in Lancashire, shows the carraigeway almost free of traffic.