<P> The first section of motorway was the Preston Bypass in Lancashire , which opened in 1958 ( now part of the M6 motorway ) . The M1 was Britain 's first full - length motorway and opened in 1959 . The early M1 had no speed limits , no central reservation or crash barriers , and no lighting . </P>
what was the speed limit on the m1 when it first opened
The early M1 had no speed limits