M55 motorway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids M55 motorway
Looking east from Junction 4
Route information
Maintained by Highways England
Length	12.2 mi (19.6 km)
Existed	1958–present
History	Preston bypass opened in 1958, remainder in 1975
Major junctions
East end	Fulwood
	M6 motorway
West end	Blackpool
Location
Counties:	Lancashire
Primary destinations:	Preston Blackpool
Road network
Roads in the United Kingdom Motorways A and B road zones ← M54 M56 →

The M55 is an important motorway in Lancashire, England. It is also known as the Preston Northern Bypass. This road helps people travel between Preston and Blackpool. Many families use the M55 when they go on holiday to Blackpool, a popular seaside town. The motorway is about 12 miles (19.3 km) long. It connects to the larger M6 motorway.

Exploring the M55 Motorway

The M55 motorway has several important exits, called junctions. These junctions help drivers get on and off the motorway to reach different towns and areas.

Main Connections

• Junction 32 (M6): This is where the M55 connects to the M6 motorway. The M6 is a very long road that goes north towards Lancaster and the Lake District, or south towards big cities like Birmingham and Manchester.
• Junction 1 (Broughton Roundabout): This junction connects the M55 to the A6 road. From here, you can reach Preston and Garstang.
• Junction 3 (Wesham Circle): This exit leads to Kirkham and Fleetwood using the A585 road.
• Junction 4 (Marton Circle): This is the last main junction on the M55 before it ends near Blackpool. From here, you can get to different parts of Blackpool, including the airport and Lytham St Annes. The motorway then becomes the A5230 road.

Why the M55 Was Built

The M55 was built to make it easier for people to travel to Blackpool. Blackpool is a famous seaside resort, and many tourists visit it every year. The first part of the M55, which was a bypass around Preston, opened in 1958. The rest of the motorway was finished in 1975.