OS research shows roads would cover area the size of Lancashire

08/12/2014 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

If all the roads and motorways in Great Britain were grouped together into one landmass, there would be more than enough to cover an area the size of Lancashire. That’s according to research carried out by Ordnance Survey’s consultancy and technical services team.

The team, who work with one of the largest geographic databases in the world that is updated over 10,000 times a day, has also worked out that if you drove non-stop, day and night, the entire length of our road network, all 215,490 miles of it, and you travelled at an average speed of 40mph, it will take you 224 and a half days.

If you were to attempt this at London’s average speed of 9mph it would take you almost two years and nine months to travel every road in Great Britain. In a driverless car, which has an average speed of 11mph, the journey would take just under 2 years and 3 months.

Ron Andrews, spokesperson for Ordnance Survey, said: “We make over 10,000 changes a day to the geographic database of Great Britain and are looking forward to recording the new roads and the changes to existing ones that are planned.”

Britain only needs to add another 5,363 miles to its road infrastructure to have enough to reach up to the moon when it is at its closest on its elliptical orbit.

Total Length of roads (by type)



























Road TypeTotal Length (km)
A Road46,604.77
B Road29,866.92
Minor Road266,733.00
Motorway3,592.89
346,797.58

 

 

Length of roads, by top 10 counties (including a split, by road types):


























































































































































































































































Top Ten Counties, for ALL roads
RankNameTotal Length (km)
1Greater London Authority12,684.38
2Highland7,706.25
3Cornwall6,893.19
4Aberdeenshire6,066.06
5Powys - Powys5,199.55
6Shropshire4,931.39
7Northumberland4,855.15
8Dumfries and Galloway4,604.49
9Wiltshire4,307.58
10Sir Gaerfyrddin - Carmarthenshire3,371.29
Top Ten Counties, for Motorways only
RankNameTotal Length (km)
1Leeds District (B)76.76
2South Gloucestershire72.27
3South Lanarkshire71.89
4Dumfries and Galloway62.07
5Greater London Authority60.81
6Doncaster District (B)60.23
7Glasgow City49.17
8Cheshire East (B)46.26
9West Berkshire45.31
10North Lanarkshire40.07
Top Ten Counties, for A-Roads only
RankNameTotal Length (km)
1Highland2,329.20
2Greater London Authority1,752.80
3Aberdeenshire865.56
4Argyll and Bute783.62
5Dumfries and Galloway772.66
6Cornwall698.40
7Wiltshire672.30
8Powys - Powys655.25
9Scottish Borders616.65
10Perth and Kinross611.50
Top Ten Counties, for B-Roads and Minor Roads only
RankNameTotal Length (km)
1Greater London Authority10,870.76
2Cornwall6,194.79
3Highland5,377.05
4Aberdeenshire5,200.50
5Powys - Powys4,544.30
6Shropshire4,362.96
7Northumberland4,259.60
8Dumfries and Galloway3,769.76
9Wiltshire3,600.22
10Sir Gaerfyrddin - Carmarthenshire2,977.63

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Head of Parking

£86,274 - £89,667
Our borough is beginning a huge transformation. Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Assistant Director Transport and Infrastructure

£115,958 - £120,407
Dumfries and Galloway Council is ambitious for our region. Dumfries and Galloway
Recruiter: Dumfries & Galloway Council

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £49,178 - £52,937 per annum
Shape the Future of Highways
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Civil Enforcement Officer

£25,989 - £27,254 per annum
We’re looking for Civil Enforcement officers to join our parking services team. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Waste and Recycling Manager

£64,355.20 - £70,397.60 per year
As Waste and Recycling Manager your role will be to oversee and manage the Waste Management Services Contract Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire
Recruiter: Aberdeen City Council

Director of Streets and Environment

£129,901 - £135,064
This is an exciting time to be joining Croydon. Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Croydon Council

Highway Maintenance & Drainage Manager

£59,568 - £66,801
As our Highway Maintenance & Drainage Manager Civic Centre, Keynsham
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Director of Transport

£103,292 - £114,280
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Head of Economic Development

Grade 14 £54,867 - £60,971 per annum
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the environment and shaping a sustainable future? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Major Projects Manager

Grade £54,867 - £60,971 per annum
Do you want to make a real difference to ‘place’, be the driving force behind major capital projects and directly impact people’s lives? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Highways Network Engineer - WMF2169e

£45,091 - £46,142
This position offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the resilience and effectiveness of our highway network. Kendal,Penrith or Barrow
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2168e

£28,598 - £29,540
This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in a specialised area of highways operations while contributing directly Kendal, Penrith or Barrow
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW