M54 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Route information | ||||
Maintained by National Highways | ||||
Length | 23.0 mi (37.0 km) | |||
Existed | 1975–present | |||
History | Constructed 1975–1983 | |||
Major junctions | ||||
East end | Essington | |||
![]() ![]() J10a → M6 motorway | ||||
West end | Wellington | |||
Location | ||||
Country | United Kingdom | |||
Counties | Staffordshire, Shropshire | |||
Primary destinations | Wolverhampton, Telford | |||
Road network | ||||
|
The M54 is a 23-mile-long (37 km) east-west motorway in the counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire, England. It is also referred to as the Telford motorway, after the road's primary westbound destination, the town of Telford.[1] It cost £65 million to construct, and is two-lane dual carriageway for the majority of its length, with sections of three-lane.[2]
The M54 spur connects the M6 motorway near Essington, Staffordshire with the A5 trunk road at Wellington, Shropshire.[3] The motorway forms part of the strategic route to North Wales, roughly following the path of the Roman Watling Street and the A5 north-westwards, towards the port of Holyhead.[4] It is the only motorway in Shropshire, and forms a vital part of the county's road network.[5] In 2007, the motorway handled an annual average daily traffic of between 50,300 (J2–3) and 41,800 (J4–5) vehicles.[6]