M23 motorway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by Highways England | ||||
| Length | 15.9 mi (25.6 km) | |||
| Existed | 1974–present | |||
| History | Opened: 1974 Completed: 1975 |
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| Major junctions | ||||
| North end | Hooley | |||
  J8 → M25 motorway |
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| South end | Pease Pottage | |||
| Location | ||||
| Counties: | Surrey, West Sussex | |||
| Primary destinations: |
London Gatwick Airport Crawley |
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| Road network | ||||
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→The M23 is a special type of road called a motorway in Surrey and West Sussex, in England. It's designed for fast and smooth travel. This motorway connects the M25 (a big ring road around London) to the town of Crawley.
After the M23 ends, the A23 road continues south, connecting travelers all the way to the city of Brighton. The M23 is also super important because it goes right past Gatwick Airport, making it easy for people to get to their flights. The motorway is about 16 miles (25.7 kilometers) long. Most of the M23 has four lanes in each direction, helping traffic flow smoothly, while some parts have three lanes.
Contents
Exploring the M23 Motorway
The M23 motorway was opened in 1974 and finished in 1975. It was built to help people travel more easily between London and the south coast of England. It's managed by Highways England, which looks after major roads in the country.
Key Junctions and Connections
Motorways have special exits called junctions, which allow cars to get on and off the road. The M23 has several important junctions:
Connecting to the M25
One of the most important junctions on the M23 is Junction 8. This is where the M23 meets the M25 motorway. The M25 is a huge road that goes around London, connecting to many other motorways like the M4, M1, M20, and M11. So, if you're on the M23, Junction 8 is your way to get to lots of other places around the UK!
Getting to Gatwick Airport
Junction 9 is a very busy spot on the M23. This junction is the main exit for London Gatwick Airport. If you're flying from Gatwick, you'll likely use this junction to get to the airport quickly and easily. It also connects to the A23 road, which can take you to nearby towns like Redhill.
Reaching Crawley and Beyond
Further south, Junction 10 helps drivers get to Crawley and East Grinstead. Crawley is a large town in West Sussex. There's also a smaller Junction 10a which provides another way into Crawley.
Finally, at Junction 11, the motorway officially ends. From here, the road continues as the A23, leading you towards Brighton and other areas in the south. This junction also has a service station called Pease Pottage services, where drivers can stop for a break, food, and fuel.
Images for kids
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Junction 9, looking north
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Gatwick Airport is near the M23
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