A86

The A86 is a major road in the United Kingdom, primarily serving as a motorway connecting London to the north-east of England. Officially designated as the A86(M) between Junction 11 (near Watford) and Junction 16 (near Stevenage), it is part of the A86 trunk road, which stretches further north through Hertfordshire and Essex before terminating at the A12 near Colchester. The section between Watford and Stevenage is the longest continuous motorway in the UK, spanning approximately 35 miles (56 km).

The A86 was constructed in the 1960s and 1970s as part of the UK’s motorway network expansion, designed to alleviate traffic congestion on the A1 and A1(M) routes. It follows a generally north-south alignment, passing through areas such as Watford, Hemel Hempstead, and Luton before reaching Stevenage. The motorway features multiple junctions, including notable ones like Junction 12 (Watford), Junction 14 (Luton), and Junction 15 (Luton North).

Beyond Stevenage, the A86 continues as a dual carriageway road, gradually transitioning into a single carriageway as it approaches Colchester. The route serves key industrial and commercial zones, including Luton Airport, the East Midlands Airport (via a bypass), and parts of the Essex countryside. Traffic on the A86 is influenced by commuter flows between London and the Midlands, as well as freight and regional travel.

Infrastructure along the A86 includes service areas, rest stops, and occasional toll plazas, particularly in the motorway section. The road has faced occasional congestion due to its high volume of traffic, prompting discussions about potential upgrades or alternative routes in some sections. The A86 remains an essential link in the UK’s transport network, connecting major urban areas and facilitating economic activity.