Overview
The M606, commonly known as the Bradford South Radial Motorway, is a short motorway spur in northern England that connects the city of Bradford with the primary trans-Pennine route, the M62. It runs for about 3 miles (4.8 km) and was designed to give high-capacity road access to Bradford from the national motorway network. The route is administered as part of the national strategic road network and is used by commuters, local traffic and freight travelling to and from Bradford.
Characteristics
The M606 is a grade-separated dual carriageway motorway with limited junctions, built to motorway standards for speed and capacity. Key features include:
- Short length focused on linking a city to a trunk route rather than long-distance travel.
- Predominantly two lanes in each direction for most of its length.
- Signposted as the main southern approach to Bradford and designed to relieve local roads.
It lies within West Yorkshire and passes through suburban and formerly industrial areas, reflecting the region's landscape of valleys and urban development.
History and development
The motorway was constructed in the later 20th century as part of efforts to improve access to Bradford and to support economic activity by easing movements of commuters and goods. Its creation involved changes to local urban fabric and road patterns; such projects commonly provoked discussion about land use, demolition and environmental impact at the time.
Uses, traffic and notable facts
Today the M606 functions mainly as a short connector: it funnels traffic between Bradford and the M62 corridor and is heavily used in peak periods. Strengths of the route include reliable journey times for much of the day and direct motorway-standard access for freight. Limitations include its short length and potential for congestion where it meets urban roads at its Bradford end.
For further technical or travel information see related resources such as route lists and regional transport guidance: M606 details.