Out of date?

Opinion

Regarding your article on the opening of the M1, I don't suppose I'll be the only one to point out that the M1 was not the UK's first motorway.

Regarding your article on the opening of the M1 (

Back Page, 27 October

) I don't suppose I'll be the only one to point out that the M1 was not the UK's first motorway. That honour belongs to the M6 Preston by-pass.



Roger Flavell

Stoke-on-Trent



You really should do your research with regard to the Back Page article. The first stretch of motorway open was the Preston by-pass, the M6.



John Gildert

Preston, Lancs





Thank you for your letters and observations on this article. As you rightly say the Preston by-pass (later incorporated into the M6) was opened to traffic on 5 December 1958, nearly a year before the M1, which is generally recognised as the country's first full-length motorway — editor.