The Only Motorway with No Central Barrier in the UK & Spaghetti Junction

[@context_required]

As a native of the midlands, i can assure you the buffer lane is essential. One thing that wasn't in the video was if you follow the A38 south onto the A38M through Spaghetti Junction and there are only two lanes going into the city, the sliproad dumps you into the 3rd lane, forcing you to merge due to the red X. the number of times I have seen people either accidentally or intentionally continuing in that lane is ridiculous if we lost the buffer lane that part of the motorway would be accident central. also, while they shouldn't do it, the buffer lane is used by reckless drivers for overtakes, and I'd rather them overtake in a buffer lane than a live lane. Spaghetti Junction as a whole, though, is not a massively difficult junction. There aren't that many different routes. It's just that the layout is weird, which causes long and oddly shaped sliproads. Very glad you came to see the local icon that is spaghetti junction

[@rhysrail]

Also the buffer lane acts as a hard shoulder

[@etrur2595]

@@rhysrail a very dangerous on though if you break down right into oncoming traffic

[@rhysrail]

@@etrur2595 yep but safer than stopping in the middle of an active lane

[@Michael_Brock]

This path should be replaced with a zipper barrier. Seen some KZbin videos a special machine can move the chain of barrier sections. These can deflect a truck back into its carridge way. The machine moves forward couple miles an hour. Allowing you to adjust number of lanes in preferred direction. Say 4:2←3:3 or 2:4←3:3 and reverse back to 3:3 . So if most traffic in morning going in give it 4 lanes in morning but only 2 lanes in evening rush hour the 3 lanes rest of time.

[@Gr33nMamba]

I don't doubt it happens, I'm not sure how people can end up doing that. That Third lane merges with merger markers on the road, the lane marking don't carry on into the buffer lane. I suppose that's one the reasons it works.

[@KtotheC]

As a Brummie, I was literally excited when I saw the title and thumbnail since I easily recognised that motorway. I’m so happy finally seeing you do a video in Birmingham

[@TimmyTonk]

Not only does the buffer lane create a safe space between carriageways, it also creates a roadway for Emergency vehicles to get to Incidents on that stretch of motorway

[@lezhu6856]

@Dirpitz this lane is full sized, so it would safely allow larger emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances, not just police cars.

[@zbychu6392]

@@lezhu6856the hard shoulder is wide enough for that

[@gabrielfinneran3611]

Ok but the modern central reservations are designed to stop vehicles from entering the other carriageway if there's a crash

[@rhysrail]

@@lezhu6856 let’s just hope their arnt 2

[@reinisesenbergs8312]

Well not all motorways there is them, smart motoways when all laness are in use including hard shoulder. ​@Dirpitz

[@kirikapro]

Finally part of the 'passed but still watching' crew, thank you for all the help you've provided with your videos Richard they've helped me a lot. I wish you all the success with your channel, you deserve it!

[@ellissamsontech]

I passed in march and I’ve learned a ridiculous amount about driving through Richard, this is arguably one of the best KZbin channels on the platform. I’ve recommended this channel to all my friends with or without driving licenses.. how anyone can find these videos uninteresting is beyond me. Richard you’re a legend, even though I passed I won’t stop watching these videos! I think many will agree with me here too..

[@ashleigh.]

I think the buffer is important, especially as it's a dynamic road on something usually with a solid median, it requires 2 people make a mistake for a crash at the same time

[@LuckieLordie]

Fancy seeing you here!

[@lukebennett.]

Or 1 person loosing control.

[@ap9970]

This explains why there are a few questions on Reddit this evening about the A38(M)

[@corbypronokiax6]

Have passed my driving test today with 3 minors. Can't explain how useful these videos have been 😊🤩 Thanks a lot 💐

[@A_7yair]

I passed my driving test today thanks to your videos, you do an excellent job teaching driving technique, thank you

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news! Thank you for watching and congratulations on passing!

[@Stevoo2k]

I passed my driving test today! Watched your vids throughout the time I was learning and driving, it's been super helpful. I will continue to watch because we can always learn more! :)

[@Gemma_xo]

I drove this road on Saturday, into and out of the city. Not coming from Birmingham it confused the daylights out of me but once I got my head around it, it made perfect sense. Being from London, the aggressive drivers didn’t really phase me, you could see it coming most of the time by the positioning and or behaviour of the cars around you, you just needed to have your wits about you. I liked the buffer lane, I felt safer having that gap between me and oncoming traffic, especially when it was free flowing at speed.

[@Kxvito]

Where were the aggressive drivers? Birmingham or London? Wonder how different drivers are

[@Gemma_xo]

Birmingham had their fair share on Saturday. I’d say it was pretty much on par with London though. It’s just all cities I think. Driving round Coventry has its fair share aggressive drivers too when I’m there.

[@overthehorizon6651]

the motorway is seconds away from villa park so any aggressive drivers you experienced was more than likely due to our game against arsenal. its so hectic on a villa match day

[@DiyangWei]

Thanks Richard. My husband and I have been watching your helpful videos for a long time! I am really grateful and I passed my test today! First time with no driving fault! 🎉I will keep studying from you!

[@tim6850]

Research/calculations have been done in the Netherlands for the need for a barrier (well in this case it is a buffer lane). If I remember correctly head-on collisions above 50 mph/80 km/h for a combined total of more than 100 mph/160 km/h are no longer survivable, so 50 mph is the magic number.

[@reececollison5101]

Deffo. The problem is if they removed the buffer lane and then a head on collision occurred, everyone will soon say they should never have got rid of it!! Better to think safety first and take preventative action tbh

[@tim6850]

@@reececollison5101 it is not there already as said in the video. Also, traffic forming is bad for safety so using the buffer lane or not is a tradeoff.

[@frafraplanner9277]

I remember watching a video from BicycleDutch where he mentioned this, and he said 40 mph (64 km/h), which is similar.

[@emanueldobos8452]

Combined total of 100mph? Is the physics in the room with us today?

[@Teqnyq]

​@@emanueldobos8452guess they are referring to the relative speed.

[@Darothane2024]

passed my test yesterday on the first attempt with only 7 minors! big thanks to you and your videos, they've been a massive help to me!

[@spidermain]

The route you used on the spaghetti junction is the easiest by far. A few months ago, I needed to get on M6 London from A5127 northbound. Affter turning left onto the M6 ramp on the roundabout, I stayed in the wrong lane which forced me onto M6 North instead. That was a 10 miles detour. 2 weeks later, I was the passenger when my dad was driving along the same route. I kept telling him to stay left so he made the same mistake. He was driving an older electric car which gave us a lot of range anxiety. Luckily we got home just fine. Lesson learnt.

[@Haalandisinjured]

The old drainage system in the middle lane used to be liftable grates which stopped motorbikes using it. They used to clean those out every Sunday, but they didn’t put one of the grates down one weekend and a car overturned killing the driver. They then changed the whole drainage system after that. During COVID they shut the expressway for a day and people could walk and cycle on it. (not sure why, hardly scenic) 😂

[@fowlergaming2566]

I passed my driving test today thank you for the help been binge watching your videos

[@philiusmaximus6517]

I always err ont he side of caution, but there might be a more practical reason for the buffer lane: when the tidal flow changes, there may come a moment when the lane you're in changes direction - the buffer lane then protects the cars in both directions.

[@fade.2.black.ffd8ff]

Exactly, gives you time to adjust when the flow adjusts. ■■■■•□□ ■■■•□□□ ■■•□□□□ there is a phased state switch over time.

[@philiusmaximus6517]

@@fade.2.black.ffd8ff Smashing visualisation!

[@meeka3486]

They are not going to switch your lane off and at that very moment open it to traffic coming in the opposite direction.

[@ConquerDriving]

Good point.

[@egbront1506]

When it's in the middle, the buffer lane also ends as you approach Spaghetti Junction from the A38M and then becomes an overtaking lane for the A5127 (Gravelly Hill) or continues on past that turn off as the A38 East (Tyburn Rd).

[@send2gl]

Impressed with your videos, you keep your eye on the road and mirrors even whilst talking, as an ex police instructor, ADI and HGV/PCV instructor I have often seen people look towards passengers when talking. Having said that it does depend on circumstances.

[@haroon.y]

The first time I drove here confused me too, despite living 5 minutes away from it! Also, the drivers in Birmingham are a different breed - if you can drive here I think you can drive anywhere.

[@tsvetclips]

I think the buffer lane could be put to good use in the event of an accident on the road. For instance, if a car breaks down in lane 1, that lane could be temporarily closed while the buffer lane is opened to maintain traffic flow until the situation is resolved and normal traffic is resumed.

[@Brahdz]

Yo Richard, just a quick message to tell you I’ve passed my driving test today and your videos were amazing. Thank you for the content and keep up the great work!!!

[@ConquerDriving]

That's great to hear! Thank you for watching and congratulations on passing!

[@Astroboy-qn3wn]

Learning to drive at the moment. Your videos are helping so much. Thanks Richard, you rock!

[@jerry2357]

I lived in Birmingham in the 1980s, so used to use this motorway quite a bit. The tidal flow, and the buffer lane are both essential. I haven’t been there for decades.

[@paultaylor7082]

Manchester had a 3 lane tidal system on Upper Brook Street, near Manchester University, years ago, back in the 1970s. They solved the problem of only 3 lanes by knocking down property on one side of the road and widening it to four lanes, two each way. It's unlikely this was an option regarding the A38M. The last time I visited Birmingham Centre, summer 2022 I was visiting a site mear Chamberlain Square. Getting there involved a number of detours as many buildings were being demolished in the city centre, causing a number of diversions. I worked and lived in Edgbaston, back in 1972/3 for 6 months, huge areas of the centre are now unrecognisable from then. Even the house I lived in, sharing a !st Flloor flat, just off Hagley Road (Sandon Road, at the top near the junction with the A456) is no longer there, having been demolished some time ago, although older buildings nearby were still standing. Such is progress, or whatever qualifies as such.

[@geko7844]

1:39 I think the red X there is quite confusing, especially since that lane becomes the lane for the A38M just a short time later. I could be wrong but other than the broken white line, there doesn’t appear to be anything telling you that you can use that lane again. I think a buffer lane is definitely needed. Yes, single carriageways have faster speed limits but then again they carry a lower traffic volume compared with that motorway. A head on collision there even at 50 mph would be far more severe.

[@RichardJones-kx6mb]

I think the buffer lane is a good idea. Since traffic changes direction depending on time of day, the buffer lane provides an out for someone not familiar with the area. The Golden Gate Bridge in California uses a zipper truck to change the number of lanes. Fascinating to watch.

[@Irondayve]

Another great video.. thanks for all you do.. you helped massively with my recent first time pass. I've been travelling home from Birmingham city centre dealing with multiple spiral roundabouts, people don't always use the 'keep clear' signs and I see others edging forward into the roundabout to force their way in.. a video on this topic would be great.

[@nigelh4617]

I think that it was BRMB DJ Les Ross who nicknamed the A38M the "Aston Distressway".

[@dedaloskprs9013]

We do need the buffer lane because if, for example, you are in the rightmost available lane, and someone next to you starts switching lanes to the right without looking, you can use the buffer lane to save you from going into oncoming traffic and colliding head on.

[@iamaduckquack]

And if someone happens to be doing that coming the other way?

[@artemkatelnytskyi]

95 times out of 100 you can fix that particular situation by slowing down. Swerving is a last resort manoeuvre.

[@kiradotee]

​@@artemkatelnytskyi the other 5 times out of 100 you can make sure you're never sitting in their blind spot.

[@HaydnG266]

​@@artemkatelnytskyiCan you cite that statistic?

[@artemkatelnytskyi]

@@kiradotee excellent point.

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

Go through the tunnels, great fun. (It'll take you a few goes to get used to it). You can go across the City Centre 'diameter' and out the other side in six minutes (all being well).

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

If there is a bumper-bender during the rush hour, the Expressway clogs up very quickly, need the empty lane for emergency/recovery vehicles to get to the scene. Also gives people wiggle room if someone pulls over to their lane without checking mirrors. If the Expressway is busy enough to backup with four lanes, opening five won't make any difference. IIRC there were a couple of instances when they ran 5+buffer+1.

[@fahad_4291]

Appreciate you coming to Birmingham. Do go on this road fairly often when joining the motorway 😊😊

[@ConquerDriving]

I think this is the first time I've been to this road.

[@fahad_4291]

@@ConquerDriving Ahh right no worries. Glad it was a good experience for you 😀

[@nottud]

The buffer lane is useful so you can change the flow without having opposing vehicles meet each other.

[@actionreplay8235]

Make perfect sense.. Works very well. Used it for 10+ years.

[@tboneisgaming]

Nice to see you in my home city. The tidal flow system definitely helps to keep traffic moving. Especially in the morning driving into city. Leaving the city you can spot the locals as they are in their exit lane a lot earlier. Since introducing the CAZ, I rarely travel on it these days as my car is a Euro 5 diesel. I tend use the ring road or an alternative route. Incidentally, I was thinking about having a driver assessment and don't mind being featured on the channel.

[@paultaylor7082]

The last time I was in Brum city centre way around summer 2022, working at a site near Chamberlain Square. One of my staff had got a new job, so I was able to use his 19 Reg Ford Transit Connect diesel, which was Euro 6, so no CAZ charge. Curently in my home city (Manchester) there is no such charge, although many cities now have the charge in place, Newcastle upon Tyne introduced it early last year. By then I'd sold the Transit Connect and was in my own Euro 5 diesel, I visited in mid January 2023, the charge was introduced at the end of that month, so I didn't have to pay any Clear Air charge.

[@egbront1506]

@@paultaylor7082 Other cities have different interpretations of CAZ. For Bath, only commercial vehicles are affected. For Cambridge, it's a couple of streets in the city centre. The worst is Bristol. The CAZ there borders the large carpark just before the city centre and there is only one entrance and exit dirty cars can use to avoid the charge. If you exit out of any of the others, you'll be nabbed. Needless to say, the layout inside isn't intuitive and you need to have your wits about you (and a good memory) to ensure you don't get corralled out of the wrong exit.

[@ConquerDriving]

If you would like a driving assessment you can message me via the website. However I don't currently have spaces so unfortunately I won't be able to book you in.

[@hz3rd741]

One thing I haven't seen anyone else say about the buffer lane is regarding induced demand. If you make that lane available and reduce journey times, more people will take this route meaning the traffic will be just as bad as before

[@MrGlenLane]

I used to live in Coventry and work from Leicester as an executive chauffeur, and I used these roads pretty much daily. I always enjoyed the novelty of it all.

[@Technaudio]

You must be a master of the Coventry Ring Road! Quite daunting on your first experience, but once you know how it works, it's pretty easy.

[@falsernet]

Not technically the only single carriageway motorway - see the M58 off of M6 J25 in Wigan, and the Walton Summit Motorway off of M61 J9 or M65 J2. There also used to be the A601(M), now the B6601 in Carnforth, and the A6144(M) Carrington Spur near Manchester. It seems the single carriageway motorway is going out of fashion. Definitely the only one with this level of capacity however. Good video, tidal flow systems are quite rare to see and don't get many videos. I've always thought the Britannia Bridge across to Anglesey could use such a system considering its congestion issues, as its two lanes are quite wide and there's about enough space for three - especially considering it's an expressway either side, with two lanes each way.

[@hamisha81]

Love the video - could you explore some of those often incredibly difficult junctions on the Birmingham ring road like the A38 junction coming off and meeting the A4400 near Whittall Street? I find it’s quite an interesting junction where traffic is often flowing and there is no slip road allowing for easy coming off. Lots of interestingly weird and annoying junctions around, there’s more of it to see

[@nxmiles]

My nan lives near that weird right turn junction off the a38, and the first time i visited her after passing my test, I thought i was doing something wrong whilst my mom was telling me to keep going. people don't always stop there!

[@antonycharnock2993]

There's a similar one near me on the A631 in Rotherham. You always have a little pray people are going to stop as you turn right.

[@ZeerakImran]

it is a bit of a silly design considering there are usually mini roundabouts everywhere similar. It makes total sense but not from experience because we'd be expecting one there and because we can't trust the road marking not being there on our side. Road markings are often rubbed out and not visible. There's also the red paint there and slow sign just before. Which also makes sense but not if you don't already know about that junction. Most likely people would be paying attention to the road in front of them when they get near to there to figure out what's going on, and completely miss the non-existing road marking. But it'll work out fine as they'll hesitantly continue. As long as the other side drivers don't take advantage. It would be okay if it was more common.

[@shadowstar68]

Just wanted to mention that when you follow the A38M north to it's end, you end up on the A5127 Gravelly hill. There is actually a slip road further down that takes you on to a flyover that exits on Tyburn Road which is the continuation of the A38 itself. That give way between Gravelly Hill and Kingsbury road is definitely needed.

[@lee53_]

Richard, I hope you watch Auto Shenanigans, you would enjoy many of the motorway facts he has in the ‘secrets of the motorway’ series!

[@lee53_]

@@AlexDatcoldness you watch him too?! That’s wicked sweet awesome! Some of the facts in this video reminded me of the legend straight away 😂

[@antonycharnock2993]

My favourite fact about the A38(M) is that bench next to the motorway where you can sit and count cars😂

[@lee53_]

@@antonycharnock2993 oh yes those benches give a great view 🫣🤣

[@Dacheerio]

NO WAY AUTO SHENANIGANS MENTIONED RAHHHH

[@DJChrisNeon]

I'd love for you to come and do a similar video on Coventry's ring road. The amount of people who don't know how to use it correctly, and yet it's so simple when you do!

[@whophd]

Single carriageway but motorway conditions - like Sydney’s Bradfield Highway and Hobart’s Tasman Bridge. Electronic lane directions too. No buffer lanes though.

[@zitzong]

You would need the buffer lane for emergency vehicles as there is no hard shoulders

[@wrightwoodwork]

When I was a kid went to Vancouver and 1 bridge had 3 lanes or maybe a tunnel can't remember was 2 lanes in one direction and 1 the opposite direction. It swapped about later in the day but no buffer lanes. You also get the 3 lanes road where traffic from both sides can overtake I the middle is clear usually favours 1 side more

[@antonycharnock2993]

There's a junction like the one on the A38 with a give way to right turning traffic on the A631 East Bawtry Road in Rotherham but it looks more like a roundabout in its layout. Very busy dual carriageway as it leads to the M1.

[@104ist]

this exact route i’ve taken hundreds of times coming from coventry, but not once since january, it’s mad seeing it after almost a year from a new perspective and it really is an odd bit of road 😅

[@IndiBrony]

I would hazard a guess that the buffer lane also doubles up as a hard shoulder style lane for emergency vehicles in heavy traffic conditions?

[@Dudleymiddleton]

Whenever I go up that way I always shout out my Noddy Holder impression "Straight over the oiland and roight at the loights loike!"

[@paultaylor7082]

Is there a sat nav available featuring Noddy's dulcet Wulfrunnian tones? At one time, in Manchester, near where I live, there was a version featuring comedian Justin Moorhouse, a Manc. This featured directions given in an accent familiar to locals, where 'centre' becomes 'centah', and other such manglings of the English language can be heard, while at the same time remaining just about comprehensible to non local listeners.

[@josyms7849]

You want to visit junction 7 on the M6, horrendous junction if you don"t know the area, especially if you are coming southbound (junction 8 to 7) and want to get off at junction 7 to take the A34 towards Birmingham.

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

Great Barr

[@Mike_5]

The A38M still uses halogen lamps in the overhead signs not LEDs that's legendary

[@mrchom]

The buffer lane was implemented before speeds were reduced on the road IIRC. The tidal nature means it’s probably a good idea to keep that buffer for safety.

[@overthehorizon6651]

made me so happy seeing villa park

[@johnfinister5011]

It was designed for tidal flow rather than as a buffer lane. Morning rush hour it can be used as an extra lane into the city centre and reversed flow in the evening. Hope this explains it 👍

[@TomtheMagician21]

They could put sections of barrier between each lane which can be raised up and down, this would get rid of the need for a buffer lane and since it's only 2 miles, it shouldn't cost too much for the fact you're getting a whole extra lane

[@KindredBrujah]

Like the rails at the bowling? :P

[@Loadarine]

Ive been on the road for 6 years now. The hardest motorway in my opinion is the M25. Everything is going fast and you have to keep up

[@SiRhodesDriverTraining]

As others have said, it’s not the only single carriageway motorway in the country as there is the M58 Orrell link and the M61 Walton Summit motorway but those are essentially slip roads that have to be under motorway restrictions as they meet exclusively with motorways. That prevents non motorway traffic from entering motorways.

[@stevecampbell7589]

walton summit motorway off the M65/M61 at Bamber Bridge is single carraigeway

[@carljasonbarrett1970]

A38 Aston Expressway, Erdington, Birmingham

[@markwalker2627]

Er Aston expressway ASTON. Its not and has never been in the town of Erdington.

[@stephenbunn2150]

Brilliant idea never a problem,

[@50secs]

@4:47 the unusual junction. That junction is a risky one and has seen its fair share of accidents. Daily commuters coming from A38M gives left indicator to showcase the intention to the oncoming traffic that they will not go right. This gives a clear picture to the oncoming traffic as quite ofte traffic from A38M do not give rigbt indicator when turning resulting in hazardous situations.

[@MartinParnham]

I rarely drive Spag Junction but I know the A38 section a bit as I have to drive on it sometimes. I thought it was a bit odd not having a barrier or buffer but you do get used to it after a while. I just don't drive in the lanes with red X! Think I've probably travelled on most sections of A38 at some point.

[@TheFoolishness95]

The first time I drove through spaghetti junction I didn't even realise I had until after the event haha. So easy compared to the aerial view, like you say, pick the lane to your destination and follow it, voila

[@paultaylor7082]

I started working near Birmingham (Oldbury, just off the M5) in summer 1972, just after Spaghetti Junction opened (May of that year). Even then, 52 years ago, on my fortnightly trips back home to Manchester for the weekend, the traffic at the M5/M6 junction (where the RAC Control Tower is now) was always heavy. Making it a Smart Motorway hasn't really improved things, the road at this point clearly needed widening, but there's little room to do so. The Toll Road, now over £7 one way for even a car, isn't used as heavily as predicted and is operating at a loss, meaning there are regularly long queues at rush hour.

[@ConquerDriving]

I agree it's easy.

[@larawabsie]

Just been here last week! I got my test in a couple months just a few miles from here - luckily we don't have to drive on motorways haha

[@merlin9622]

Upto 1996 motorcycles did use the middle lane(the red lane)that was when the last motorcyclist got killed by the drain grids. Also if you work nights and want to go northbound,they shut the on ramp without notice if your coming out of Birmingham no signage to inform you till you get to the on ramp so you have to go southbound to junction 4 the back on the northbound, this happened last week.

[@mittfh]

The road continues to be interesting once the motorway section ends, as shortly after the joining traffic merges, the speed limit drops to 30 and you have a tight curve on a bridge, followed by a short weaving section, a tunnel, another weave, a longer tunnel with a bend in the middle, a flyover, a fly under, then a short flour lane section before arriving at a huge traffic light junction, after which it reverts to a normal duel carriageway as it heads into the Southern suburbs (albeit with the novelty of a cycle lane that alternates between the Southbound footway, the Northbound footway and running down the middle of the tree and grass lined central reservation on the stretch to Selly Oak).

[@symeonheadley4231]

Shout out spaghetti junction, I just passed and decided to go to a place 2 mins from spaghetti junction called star city ( a place with arcades and restaurants) was on the way back home and was in the left lane when I should have been in the middle and realised I was in the lane for the motorway, couldn’t move over so I had to brace myself for what was about to happen as I hadn’t been on the Motorway yet and didn’t plan to just yet but I made it through safely and still in one piece 😂😂

[@Technaudio]

there is no way you got from Spaghetti to Star City in 2 minutes!

[@sebastien79a]

I do think buffer lanes are needed; as other said it's great for emergencies (either direction). Would be even better if they had dynamic line markings that change.

[@wishbones170]

Fun fact: The stadium you can see on right of the screen at 2:50 is Villa Park, home of Aston Villa.

[@Xenon777_]

Interesting. Coincidently, I was reading an article about this road yesterday which also included the single lane dual carriageway in Llywel.

[@markcairns9574]

04:40 interesting note. The pedestrian waiting to cross at the junction. Should you of waited for them to cross? Something about heirachy of road users.

[@solentbum]

In the years before motorways in Hampshire there were several three lane roads, one lane north one lane south and the centre lane for overtaking. The middle lane was known as 'Coroners corridors'. Need I say more? Unfortunately with the low standard of driving that prevails a central buffer lane is the minimum required.

[@markwalker2627]

These 3 lane roads were common around the UK up to the 70's

[@paulbennett274]

When the A38M originally opened the red 'buffer' lane was used to supplement whichever direction of travel had the most vehicles using it and it became a normal running lane. This proved predicatably disastrous when high speed head on collisions proved fatal hence it's rapid conversion into the 'buffer' role; unfortunately I knew some of the victims personally at the time. Similarly it took a motorcyclist's fatality which occurred when the drainage covers dislodged for the ban on motorcycles in the red lane to be enacted.

[@ChanonPongpanich]

From this video, I think it would be really helpful if you do a video on driving in traffic jam or almost standstill traffic as it can be really stressful and difficult because of impatient drivers or someone who wouldn’t let you change lane to where you want to go.

[@chnet968]

I guess it's like water piping. If you want to open 5 lanes to a single direction, you need to ensure all the downstream roads have capacity to take that much traffics, or you'll just create a even bigger backlog of cars. And with more lanes it means there will be more lane merger ahead, which can have impact on the traffic flows itself, as drivers are not that patient and could potentially increase the likeliness of having traffic accidents.

[@twisted5576]

The buffer lane is essential. In case of accidents or breakdowns, traffic needs some space to move. And I don't believe that using it as a live lane would improve traffic conditions much anyway.

[@F3udF1st]

There's an Asterix and Obelix joke here. As for your question, more lanes do not ease congestion.

[@Crumb3DTV]

the 'Buffer' Lane didnt used to be a buffer it was used as an open lane but was changed due to a head on collison in that lane back in the 90s

[@KindredBrujah]

You absolutely need the buffer lane, because which lanes you can drive in changes somewhat dynamically. The likelihood of someone being one lane across from where they should be is pretty high, but the likelihood of them being two whole lanes across (with an entire empty lane to their left) is very low, unless they're paying no attention whatsoever, in which case there's not much anyone could do to prevent the inevitable crash. So the buffer lane gives that small proportion of mistakes a much lower chance of causing a serious accident, since the mistake can likely to be rectified without undue risk.

[@AlanMacdonald-on6nd]

Been on it a few times ,first time was driving a coach blooming scary

[@dine9093]

4:42 Not questioning your decision to have done this, but what was the reasoning if any not to stop to allow this pedestrian to cross?

[@KindredBrujah]

Be interested to see Richard's reply, but I'd say there are a few factors: 1. The pedestrian was safely on an island. 2. The pedestrian was looking in the right direction and was stationary. 3. The car on the opposite side of the road (oncoming at the give way line) had already stopped to give way, so Richard stopping may have caused confusion, resulting in a potential incident elsewhere.

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

Might be someone right behind him.

[@ConquerDriving]

I was confident the pedestrian could see me and was waiting. I decided it was better to continue than stop the flow of traffic and possibly cause temporary confusion for others trying to negotiate the junction. Rule H2 has really turned what we have been teaching for decades upside down.

[@dine9093]

@@ConquerDriving 🙏 thanks for that, I agree H2 is a steaming hot pile of confusion.

[@squirrel8208]

The Sydney Harbour Bridge has the same thing! (but without the buffer 💀)

[@MrAltheArtist]

You can't really compare this to a normal single carriageway because of the lane markings. Usually a single carriageway with more than two lanes has markings and cats eyes which make clear where the centre is. While the gantries on the A38(M) remind you of the layout, the lane markings could still catch an unfamiliar driver out. Plus changing the layout with time of day could catch some people out. This makes risk higher so the buffer lane refuces it.

[@uhtredthebold2]

There was a traffic cops (or something similar) with an episode featuring this stretch where a coach full of kids had broken down in the buffer lane. It looked terrifying

[@ChathuraKulasinghe-z3d]

Can a broken-down car stop on the buffer lane? If yes, it makes sense as they technically reserve the space of one lane for vehicles in both directions/sides, rather than allocating space of 2 lanes for hard shoulders on both sides of the motorway. Also, emergency vehicles have a red carpet for them now regardless of the direction they are heading (Unless two emergency vehicles meet each other face-to-face at high speed).

[@ParcoLee]

That section of M6 I've driven past through both directions for a few times between Manchester and London. When you see there're so many "speed bumps" on an urban elevated section with huge queue which always slower than 20mph, despite the limit shown above is 40mph, you'll know you must be right inside Birmingham. And that's why they give you an M6 toll bypass section as your alternative if you only intend to drive through the city rather than drive into, though I got no clue how much faster you can run on that toll section comparing to the city M6 section.

[@josyms7849]

M6 toll is very quiet traffic wise

[@paultaylor7082]

@@josyms7849 Agreed, but at £7 a pop for a car, for the private motorist, it can become expensive on a regular basis. I used to travel down to work in and around London, I used to time my journey to get past Spaghetti Junction before 6.30 am from Manchester, around 1 1/2 hours travelling, or leave it until later. In most cases I got through no problem, unless there'd been an accident or some delay. Coming back was a bit more awkward, it would depend upon the time of day as to whether I took the toll road or not, again allowing for any congestion. I retired in March 2023, so haven't been past Spaghetti Junction since, almost 18 months later.

[@ParcoLee]

@@paultaylor7082 That actually acts a bit like the reverse operation of London congestion charge. London charges you for entering the city center but Birmingham charges you for bypassing the city center. Anyway I remember the Mersey Tunnels only charge cars £2 and a bit more.

[@InclusiveDriving]

4.47 the priority at this junction has changed several times over the last 30 years. I wish Birmingham Council would just make it a mini roundabout. Since you need to get into your destination lane pretty much straight away, using the buffer lane might cause unnecessary last-minute lane changes.

[@kurt479]

I’ve driven down this once. It’s essentially a dual carriageway that’s too unsafe for non motor vehicles due to no barrier, hence the motorway restrictions.

[@cypher686]

The central lane is essential, how else will the pillocks in Birmingham overtake everyone

[@bedriddon7]

Please do a video where you drive through birmimgham like you’ve done with Bristol and brighton!

[@ConquerDriving]

Thank you for your suggestion, I may do in them future.

[@razzledazzle9971]

Birmingham mentioned RAAAH 🎉

[@DigitalDiabloUK]

The distressway is fine. It's beyond there at the St chads/Queens way/Suffolk street Queensway is more sketchy, with cars crossing over on short merge junctions. 😂

[@markwalker2627]

Try Coventry ring road...its 40mph and not 30!

[@oleksandrseleznov]

We have something very similar here in Odesa, Ukraine. And there is no buffer lane even though we have much worse overall driving culture and road safety. Yet I can hardly recall any head-on accidents on that 2.4 miles long stretch of road Worth noting no one follows the 50 kph speed limit here and it's normal to drive at ~45 mph there

[@driving_all_over]

Love this road, it’s so quirky

[@Account1746]

It’s lit

[@Joe-ug1vu]

They have the same in Lincoln with buffer lane

[@rarevhsuploads4995]

Your reference to Canwick Road is similar but not the same. It is a much smaller section of road & their is no barrier lane, just three lanes with a tidal central lane and the speed limit is only 30mph.

[@huwprice881]

Surely the best solution re. the buffer lane is to open it when traffic flow is slow, increasing capacity, and close it at quieter times?

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

4:48 wow, that is very unusual, normally if you’re turning right you’d have to give way to oncoming traffic as you’re crossing their path.

[@youdaviddavidtube]

How about at night? How does the boundary reflector changes color?