M6 motorway, Major controlled-access highway from Rugby to Gretna, Great Britain.
The M6 is a long-distance road with multiple lanes in each direction, stretching from Rugby in the Midlands to Gretna near the Scottish border. It runs through densely populated urban areas and rural sections with separated junctions for traffic.
The first section near Preston opened in December 1958 and formed the country's first modern motorway. Over the following decades, the route grew step by step north and south until it reached its current length.
The route passes through regions that became centers of production during the Industrial Revolution and still connects cities with factories and ports today. Many drivers use it daily for commuting between homes in the north and workplaces in the urban areas.
Petrol stations and rest areas appear at regular intervals along the route, offering fuel, meals and rest options for travelers. The roadway is fully lit in urban areas, while rural sections often remain unlit at night.
A tolled section near Birmingham offers drivers the option to bypass congestion by paying for faster passage. The junction at Gravelly Hill combines five levels of bridges and ramps within a compact area.
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