A38(M) motorway

single carriageway motorway in Birmingham, United Kingdom

The A38(M), usually called the Aston Expressway, is a short motorway in Birmingham, England. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) long. It runs from the M6 at Gravelly Hill Interchange into Central Birmingham. It first opened in 1972, and is part of the long A38 road.[1]

A38(M) shield
A38(M)
Aston Expressway
A38(M) Aston Expressway.jpg
The motorway near Central Birmingham
Route information
Maintained by Birmingham City Council
Length2.0 mi (3.2 km)
Existed1972–present
HistoryOpened and completed: 1972
Major junctions
North endGravelly Hill
Major intersections
M6 motorway
South endBirmingham city centre
Location
CountryUnited Kingdom
CountiesWest Midlands
Primary
destinations
Birmingham city centre
Road network

The motorway is strange as it has seven lanes with no barrier in the middle. Electronic signs above the motorway tell drivers which lanes they can use with either a green tick or red cross. Motorcycles are banned from the middle lane because drains on the ground can make them crash.[2]

Junctions change

A38(M) motorway
Northbound exits Junction Southbound exits
Road continues to Erdington as A5127 M6 J6
Gravelly Hill

(Gravelly Hill Interchange)
(52°30′40″N 1°51′58″W / 52.511°N 1.866°W / 52.511; -1.866)

Start of motorway
Lichfield A38 No exit
The SOUTH, Coventry
The NORTH WEST, Wolverhampton M6
Aston A5127
No exit
No exit Park Circus
(52°30′08″N 1°53′02″W / 52.5021°N 1.8839°W / 52.5021; -1.8839)
Aston B4132
Start of motorway Dartmouth Circus
(52°29′32″N 1°53′19″W / 52.4923°N 1.8887°W / 52.4923; -1.8887)
Handsworth, Ladywood, Aston, Small Heath A4540
(Birmingham Inner Ring Road)
Handsworth, Ladywood, Aston, Small Heath A4540
(Birmingham Inner Ring Road)
Road continues as A38 to Birmingham City Centre

References change