Motorway Signs

[Oleanda]

Can someone tell me what is the purpose of the signs on motorways like the example below?


M 4
A
126.5

Hope this comes out right.

[J9PUR]

Here's a link for you...........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_route_markers

[VHG]

Straight away I can see that is on the M4, carriageway A, location 126.5.

So if I break down I tell the AA or RAC exactly where I was and they can find me.

If there is an accident the police and other services know exactly where the accident is so can get there easily and quickly.

[Oleanda]

Thank you both.

[Buenchico]

The '126.5' figure is measured in kilometres from the start of the motorway (or occasionally from some other defined point).

[sigma]

The M4 A 126.5 marker refers to structures on the motorway, weather stations, junction boxes, bridges etc.
The location markers are situated on blue posts every 1/10 of a mile and take the form 7 over 125 ie, 125 and 7/10ths miles from the start of the motorway.

[Paul22118]

The letter A tells you the carriageway is going AWAY from London and the B means you are going BACK to London.