The M25 motorway, or London Orbital, is a 117-mile (188 km) orbital motorway around Greater London.
The motorway was first suggested early in the 20th century, and a few sections were built in the early 1970s. The M25 was completed in 1986: is one of the world's longest orbital roads.
It is one of the busiest and most congested parts of the British motorway network. 196,000 vehicles were recorded in a single day near London Heathrow Airport. The M25 is a crucial link between the four main London airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton.
Bearing in mind that no motorways go through the centre of London, the M25 is a main route connecting north with south, and east with the west of England.
The motorway was originally built with only six lanes (three each way), despite research which suggested eight lanes were necessary. Now a fourth lane exists over most of the motorway, and more in special sections (see diagram). Plans were scaled back in 2009 in response to rising costs, but work is still going on.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is the M25 motorway?
A: The M25 motorway, or London Orbital, is a 117-mile (188 km) orbital motorway around Greater London.
Q: When was the M25 first suggested?
A: The M25 motorway was first suggested early in the 20th century.
Q: How many sections of the M25 were built in the early 1970s?
A: A few sections of the M25 were built in the early 1970s.
Q: How many vehicles are recorded on a single day near London Heathrow Airport?
A: 196,000 vehicles are recorded on a single day near London Heathrow Airport.
Q: What are the four main airports connected by the M25?
A: The four main airports connected by the M25 are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton.
Q: Why is there no motorways going through central London?
A: There are no motorways going through central London because it is too densely populated and would cause disruption to local communities.
Q: How many lanes did originally exist on the M25 when it was completed in 1986? A:The M25 originally had six lanes (three each way) when it was completed in 1986.
