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A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme
A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme
A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme
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The numbering zones for A-roads in Great Britain

List of A roads in zone 3 in Great Britain starting west of the A3 and south of the A4 (roads beginning with 3).

Single- and double-digit roads

[edit]
Road From To Length Notes
A3 The Monument, London Portsmouth 78 miles (126 km) A large majority is a trunk road. Its southern parallel motorway is designated the A3(M).
A30 Hounslow, West London Land's End 281 miles (452 km) Replaced for 6 miles (9.7 km) between Popham and the Bullington interchange by the A303 trunk road southwest of Basingstoke. A trunk road west of Exeter. Previously went via A343, Salisbury Road (old A343), B3042 (old A303), A3057, London Road (old B3400), B3400, and city streets (old A33) between Lopcombe Hill and Basingstoke, but this was changed as part of a renumbering of roads in the area. Replaced for 5 miles by M5 (J29 - J31) near Exeter.
A31 Guildford Bere Regis 68 miles (109 km) Near the M3 its Romsey and Winchester portion is replaced by:
• the J10 to J11, M3, Winchester
• The A3090 from J11 to Ower in the New Forest District — a winding route covering 11 miles (18 km) in 16 miles (26 km).
A32 Gosport Alton 29 miles (47 km) All in Hampshire
A33 Winchester Reading 39 miles (63 km) Resumes in Southampton as various roads such as the arterial road alongside Southampton Dock.
A34 Winchester Salford 157 miles (253 km) Most of the section between Oxford and Solihull is arguably the A44 and the A3400 however its modern course ends northeast to join the M40 from which the northern part of the road can be accessed after one junction of the M42 motorway. A trunk road to Oxford and between Stafford and Stoke on Trent.
A35 Southampton Honiton 98 miles (158 km) Originally went southwest from Charmouth to Clyst St Mary along what is now the A3052.
A36 Southampton Bath 62 miles (100 km)
A37 Dorchester Bristol 60 miles (97 km) Broken in two past the former Roman town of Ilchester by a bypass which is a small fraction of the A303
A38 Bodmin Mansfield 292 miles (470 km) Replaced by J27 to J31, M5 past Exeter. Replaced in Birmingham by a shorter parallel road into the city centre, the A38(M). A dual carriageway in South Devon, Staffordshire and Derbyshire. The longest 2-digit A road in the UK, at 292 miles.
A39 Newton Park near Bath Falmouth 191 miles (307 km)

Triple-digit roads

[edit]
Road From To Notes
A300 Upper Thames Street, City of London Newington Causeway, near Elephant & Castle Southwark Bridge
A301 Aldwych St George's Circus Waterloo Bridge
A302 Hyde Park Corner, London Elephant & Castle In two parts. 1. The London Inner Ring Road at Grosvenor Place to the Victoria one way system. 2. Victoria Street, half of Parliament Square and then Bridge Street (Westminster Bridge), followed by part of Westminster Bridge Road (which replaced part of the A23) and finally St George's Road (one way (north-west)) past St George's Cathedral, Southwark).
A303 M3 J8 south of Basingstoke A30, between Newcott and Rawridge A303 was previously used for the road from County Hall, London to Wandsworth, which was renumbered to the new A3036 so that the number could be used on the current route which replaced the old A3036, the original A3079, and parts of other roads.
A304 Fulham Fulham The western part of the Fulham Road. Originally continued east via what is now the A308 and the A4 to the A4 (now the A315).
A305 East Sheen Hanworth The road used to continue west of the A312 to the A308 in Sunbury via what is now the A316.
A306 Hammersmith Roehampton Hammersmith Bridge closed to motor traffic from April 2019
A307 Kew Cobham The section between Kingston upon Thames and Cobham follows the course of the old A3, and is still mostly called Portsmouth Road.
A308 Brompton Maidenhead Exists in three sections, one from Brompton to Chelsea, the second from Chelsea to north of Putney Bridge, and the third from the Robin Hood junction at Kingston Vale to Maidenhead. The section from the A4 to the A3220 was originally part of the A304, and the section from the A3220 to A219 was originally part of the A3217. The section between Roehampton and Kingston upon Thames follows the course of the old A3.
A309 Twickenham Hook, London Runs in two sections, one in Twickenham and Teddington as a non primary road and a longer primary section from Hampton Court to Hook.
A310 Hampton Wick Brentford Runs from the Hampton Wick junction with the A308 at Kingston Bridge northwards via Teddington, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham and Isleworth to the junction with the A315 at Brentford.
A311 Hampton Twickenham
A312 Hampton Harrow The road has been dubbed "The A three-one-queue" owing to frequent peak-hours' heavy congestion. Part of its course ran from Hatton to Harlington, London across where Heathrow Airport is instead of its present course past Cranford more directly to north-east Hayes and districts further north including Harrow. Its middle section is officially known as The Parkway[1] The deleted section is now Faggs Road, Hatton Road (sections were lost under the airport), A437, Station Road, Coldharbour Lane, and Yeading Lane.
A313 Hampton Hill Teddington
A314 Hanworth Hounslow Continued beyond A312 to A316 before 2019, this section is now the B391
A315 Knightsbridge East Bedfont Exists in two parts: one from Knightsbridge to the junction with the A4, North and South Circular Roads at Chiswick Roundabout, and the other from the north end of Kew Bridge to East Bedfont. The section in between is part of the South Circular Road
A316 Chiswick Start of M3 motorway (Sunbury-on-Thames)
A317 Hersham Chertsey
A318 Chertsey Byfleet
A319 Lightwater Chertsey
A320 Guildford Staines upon Thames
A321 Henley York Town near Camberley The road used to continue south of the A30 to the A323 in Ash via what is now the B3411. Before that, the road went southeast from Frimley Green via the following renumbered roads: B3012 (to Pirbright), A324 (through Pirbright), B3012 (to Fox Corner), and A322 (to Guildford).
A322 Bracknell Guildford
A323 Hartley Wintney Guildford
A324 Woking Normandy Originally, the road continued west concurrent with the A323 and then southwest via the current B3208.
A325 Bagshot Greatham
A326 Totton Fawley A326 was previously used for the road from Farnham to Petersfield (now part of the A325, with the southern portion now Petersfield Road, Farnham Road, B3006, and Farnham Road (the A3 was built over one section))
A327 Reading Farnborough
A328 Old Windsor Englefield Green
A329 Wentworth, Virginia Water Thame
A330 Maidenhead Sunningdale
A331 Camberley Runfold Originally ran from Windsor to Ditton Park. Construction of the M4 in the 1960s meant the end of the road for the A331, and the M4 was built on top of it at Ditton Park with a parallel access road and the road into Windsor becoming the B470. The northernmost section was declassified altogether and is now Ditton Road.
A332 Bagshot Slough
A333 Hazel Grove (A3 Junction) near Grayshott Hindhead Renumbered when the Hindhead Tunnel opened in July 2011 having been formerly part of the A3. A333 was previously used for the road from Winchester to Cosham until 1994 when it was downgraded to B3335, B3354, and B2177.
A334 Wickham Southampton
A335 Southampton Near Eastleigh This was intended to be the route for the M272. Formerly had a branch from the A335/B3335 junction to Twyford. This branch is now the B3335.
A336 Cadnam Totton
A337 Near Cadnam Christchurch
A338 Bournemouth Besselsleigh Originally went via what is now the B3087 and A345 from Burbage to Salisbury; this was changed during a road renumbering in the area.
A339 Alton Newbury
A340 Basingstoke Pangbourne
A341 Merley, (Poole) Red Hill Roundabout, Red Hill, Bournemouth A341 was previously used for the road from Winchester to Lopcombe Corner. The section west of Stockbridge became part of the A30 which was rerouted, while the remaining section became part of the A272 (now B3049) at the same time that the current A341 was created.
A342 Chippenham Andover Previously continued southeast to Winchester; this section was changed to the new A303 (now the B3402), an extension of the A3057 and the new B3420 (southern portion now part of the A272) as part of a renumbering due to the creation of the current A303.
A343 Newbury Lopcombe Corner, Winterslow
A344 Unused First used from Weyhill to Heytesbury. The section east of Stonehenge became part of the new A303 in 1934. The section just west of Stonehenge became a portion of the A360 by 1956, while the remainder was downgraded to the B390 in the 1970s.

Next used from the A303 at Stonehenge to the A360 at Airman's Corner. On 24 June 2013, the section from Stonehenge Bottom and Stonehenge was closed and grassed over. The remainder was downgraded to Class III as the C506.

A345 Marlborough Salisbury Formerly continued north via the current A346, A419, A4259, B4006, A4259, and B4311 to Swindon. Originally, the A345 went southeast from Marlborough via the current A346 to Ludgershall; this was changed in a road renumbering in the area.
A346 Ludgershall M4 J15 southeast of Swindon Follows A338 between Collingbourne Ducis and Burbage, then continues via Marlborough. A346 was previously used for the road from Collingbourne Ducis to the A303 south of Shipton Bellinger; this became part of the rerouted A338 in a road renumbering in the area, while the A346 number was reused on the old route of the A345.
A347 Ferndown Bournemouth
A348 Trickett's Cross Poole
A349 A31 in Wimborne Poole
A350 Poole M4 J17 north of Chippenham
A351 Lytchett Minster bypass Swanage via Corfe Castle
A352 Wareham bypass Sherborne
A353 Weymouth Warmwell
A354 Salisbury Isle of Portland Previously ran through town centres of Dorchester and Weymouth. Rerouted in Upwey along new alignment.
A355 Amersham Windsor Originally ran from Sherborne to Durweston (near Blandford Forum). The route was chopped up and renumbered in the 1935 renumbering: the section from Sherborne to West Hill (near North Wooton) was absorbed by an extended A352 and the eastern end from Lyndlich to Durweston was handed over to the A357. The remaining seven mile section was deemed unworthy of a three-digit number, so it became the new A3030.
A356 Bower Hinton Grimstone
A357 A371, near Wincanton Blandford Forum
A358 Williton east of Colyford Route passes through Taunton and Chard in Somerset. Between Taunton and Ilminster, it provides the main link between the A303 and the M5. Route previously went southeast from Ilminster via what is now the A303 and the A3088 to Yeovil; the route was changed south of Ilminster to the current routing as part of a renumbering due to the creation of the current A303.
A359 Yeovil Nunney
A360 Devizes Salisbury
A361 Ilfracombe Kilsby The section between Beckhampton and the A4289 in Swindon was renumbered the A4361 to discourage through traffic, and the section through Swindon is now A4289, Wood Street, B4289, Shrivenham Road, Stratton Road, and B4006. Through traffic should use the A4, A346, and A419 between Beckhampton and Swindon. At 195 miles (314 km) is the longest 3 digit A road in the UK. Before the North Devon link road opened, it went along unclassified roads to South Molton, and then northeast via what is now the B3227.
A362 Warminster Farrington Gurney
A363 Bathford Yarnbrook Via Bradford-on-Avon and Trowbridge. Previously continued south to Warminster; this section became part of the A350.
A364 Unused Ran between Yarnbrook and Chippenham in Wiltshire. Became a portion of an extended A350 in 1935.

Was reserved in 1972 for the North Devon link road between Barnstaple and Bampton but that road was rerouted through Tiverton and opened as part of the A361 instead.

A365 Box A361 near Seend Via Atworth, Shaw, Melksham and Sells Green; originally joined the A350 through Melksham town centre but now both roads follow a western bypass.
A366 Trowbridge Ammerdown crossroads (near Radstock)
A367 Bath Shepton Mallet This road follows part of the original Fosse Way and is regularly used as a non-motorway route from Bath to Exeter via the A37, A303 and A30.
A368 Marksbury Churchill, Somerset Formerly continued northeast to Bath, but this section became part of the A39.
A369 Portishead Bristol A369 was previously used for the road from Glastonbury to Marksbury (now part of the A39). Number reused later as an upgrade to the eastern half of the B3124.
A370 Bristol Near Brent Knoll
A371 Wincanton Weston-super-Mare
A372 Podimore, Yeovilton Bridgwater
A373 Honiton Cullompton Formerly continued north to Uffculme concurrent with the M5 and west to Tiverton via what is now A361, this section became part of its current routes when the freeway extension west of Tiverton was completed. Before the freeway was built, the A373 went west from Honiton to South Molton via what is now the B3181 spur, B3181 (old A38), A38, A361, Lower Town, Turnpike, High Street, Post Hill, Blundell's Road, A396, A3126, and B3137. Earlier, the road was routed on what is now South View Road and Willand Road from Willand to Halberton, but this became part of the B3391, while the A373 was concurrent with the A38 north to Uffculme and west on the old A373 spur to Halberton as shown above. Earlier the road continued east to Charmouth via the current A35 (then the A35 went west via the current A3052). Originally, the A373 went west to Ilfracombe, but that section became part of an extended A361.
A374 Marsh Mills, Plymouth Trerulefoot Runs through Union Street, Plymouth. Originally followed the current A38 between these points (though one section became the B3413 when the A38 bypass was built), while the A38 followed the current route; these routings were swapped later, moving these routes to their current routes. A374 was previously used for the road from Donyatt to Colyford; this became part of the A358 as part of a renumbering due to creation of the current A303.
A375 Honiton Sidmouth
A376 Exeter Exmouth
A377 Exeter Barnstaple
A378 Langport Taunton A378 was previously used for the road from A379 south of Exeter to the A38 (now A3015) in Pinhoe (became part of rerouted A38 (now the north spur of the A379), and the rest was declassified (became the B3182 shortly after that, now Old Rydon Lane), and the northern section became part of the B3181 (now Clyst Road, Sidmouth Road, and Moor Lane).
A379 Kennford Plymouth Formerly ran through St. Marychurch in Torquay passing coach station. Rerouted along Babbacombe Road (original B3199). Concurrent with A3022 between Torquay and Paignton. From 1991 to 1997, the sections of route between Dawlish and Torquay and through Goodrington were downgraded to B3199.
A380 Kennford Torbay Bypasses Kingskerswell on new South Devon Highway. Previously continued into Torquay town centre but rerouted along Torbay Ring Road (former A3022) to junction with A385 and A3022.
A381 Teignmouth Salcombe
A382 Newton Abbot East of Okehampton
A383 Newton Abbot Bickington
A384 Dartington Buckfastleigh Originally Totnes to near Launceston via Two Bridges (eastern section now part of A385; western section now part of B3157 and B3162)
A385 A380/A3022 near Paignton South Brent bypass Previously continued along present A3022 into Paignton town centre. Previously followed what is now Plymouth Rd west of Totnes.
A386 Plymouth Appledore
A387 Polbathic Polperro
A388 Saltash bypass Landcross
A389 Padstow Lanivet
A390 Tavistock Truro
A391 St Austell Lanivet
A392 St. Columb Road Newquay A392 was previously used for the road from Truro to northeast of Redruth; this became part of an extended A390 (which was later rerouted north), and the A392 was reused on the current routing as an upgrade of part of the B3279.
A393 Redruth Penryn bypass.
A394 Treliever Cross, Penryn Longrock, Ludgvan
A395 Trewassa[n 1] Tregadillett[n 2]
A396 Dunster Cowley
A397 Portsmouth Portsmouth Former A3 through Cosham. It was planned to be extended north via Waterlooville to A3(M) J1, but this never happened.

Originally ran from Halberton to Uffculme. Became a spur of the A373 in 1935 and is now declassified due to completion of the nearby M5 and A361. A small part east of M5 J27 is now part of the A38 as a "useless spur", as the A38 mainline was renumbered to B3181.

A398 Unused Ran between Taunton and South Molton. Became a portion of an extended A361 in the 1935 renumbering; the A361 was later rerouted along its current route from M5 J27, and the section from Taunton to South Molton became the B3227. A short section east of South Molton remains the A361.
A399 South Molton bypass Ilfracombe

Four-digit roads (30xx)

[edit]
Road From To Notes
A3000 Turnham Green Chiswick
A3001 Unused Ran from Ealing to Brentford. Downgraded to a southern extension of the B455.
A3002 Brentford Hanwell
A3003 Mortlake Barnes
A3004 Isleworth St Margarets
A3005 Southall Hounslow
A3006 Henleys Corner, Hounslow Hounslow
A3007 Richmond Richmond
A3008 Hampton Hampton
A3009 Esher Esher
A3010 Basingstoke Basingstoke Originally ran along Park Street in Guildford between the A31 and A3 (now A3100). Renumbered to a spur of the A31 in July 1934 and is now part of the A3100. The northern portion is part of the Friary gyratory.
A3011 Farnborough A331 Section east of A331 now the B3166. Earlier, the road continued south to east of Ash (this became part of the A321, and is now part of the B3411).
A3012 Unused Ran from the A3011 in North Camp to the A3013 (now A321) in Ash Vale. Downgraded in 1995 to the B3165 due to completion of the A331 through North Camp.
A3013 Farnborough Fleet Previously allocated to a road from Frimley Green to Ash Vale. Became a portion of a rerouted A321 in the 1970s. Now downgraded to the B3411 due to completion of the parallel A331.
A3014 Unused Ran from the A321 (former A3011, now B3411) to the A323 (former A324) in Ash, but was later extended to the A31 in Tongham. Downgraded to the B3206 due to completion of the A331 from the M3 to the A31; the southern extension to the A31 is now unclassified.
A3015 Sowton Exeter Originally ran from the A324 (now B3208) near Ash to the A325 in Aldershot. Became a western extension of the A323 in the 1935 renumbering; the westernmost section is now unclassified.
A3016 Hale Hog Hatch
A3017 Unused Ran from the center of Windsor to the A308 in Windsor Great Park. Probably decommissioned in 1935 when the A332 was rerouted along then-B3022. Downgraded when the A332 Windsor bypass was built, with part of the route becoming the B3022; the section along King's Road was declassified.

Number later used for a road linking Hilsea and Portsmouth. Became the northern carriageway of the A3 after the M275 was built.

A3018 Unused Connected the then-A332 (now A3095) to the A331 west of Crowthorne. Became a spur of the A3095 in 1935 after the A332 was rerouted; route later downgraded and is now an eastern extension of the B3348.

Route later used for a loop off the eastern side of the A3017 in Portsmouth. Now the southern carriageway of the A3.

A3019 Unused Original link to the Royal Dockyards in Portsmouth; now unclassified.
A3020 Cowes Shanklin Swapped with the A3056 in 1935.
A3021 East Cowes Newport
A3022 A380 at Edginswell Brixham Previously ran entire length of Torbay Ring Road but rerouted into Torquay (former A380) and along former A379 between Torquay and Paignton. Concurrent with A379 between Torquay and Paignton. Section past Paignton Zoo formerly part of A385.

An older A3022 existed on the Isle of Wight until 1935 when it became part of an extended A3054. It ran between Newport and Ryde, terminating at the pier.

A3023 Near Havant Hayling Island Number is out-of-zone as it was originally the B2149.

Originally ran on the Isle of Wight from Ryde to Sandown. Renumbered as an extension of the A3055 in 1935; the southernmost section is now the B3329.

A3024 Southampton M27 J8 Number also appeared in the 1974 AA Touring Guide to England for York Road running along the southern bank of the River Avon in Bristol. This is probably a typo for the A3034 which survived on York Road longer than originally thought. Now part of the A370.
A3025 Southampton Netley
A3026 Ludgershall North Tidworth
A3027 Staplegrove Taunton First used along Queen Street in Salisbury. Decommissioned probably by the 1960s (the number was in use elsewhere), but may have been renumbered as a spur of a nearby route well before then. Now entirely pedestrianized.

Next used in Taunton town center along Upper High Street, connecting the A38 to itself. Because it performed so well in taking traffic out of the center of Taunton, it became a portion of a rerouted A38.

A3028 Durrington A303 via Bulford
A3029 Bedminster Hotwells Originally ran between the A342 to the A345 south of Upavon. Renumbered as a spur of the A345, probably in 1935.
A3030 Sherborne Lydlinch Originally ran along Ashley Road in Branksome, Poole. Renumbered as a spur of the A345 in the 1935 renumbering and is now part of the B3061 after the A345 was cut back.
A3031 Chelsea Embankment Battersea Park First used in Poole from the A35 to the then-A348. Became a portion of a rerouted A35 in 1935 and is now part of an extended A350, although the northernmost part is part of an A35 gyratory.

Next used along a former routing of the A33 in Reading. Downgraded to a B road with the same number.

A3032 Hare Hatch Charvil Originally ran along Cornhill, South Street and Weymouth Avenue in Dorchester, cutting the corner between the then-A35 and A37. Renumbered as a portion of the A354 in 1935; now unclassified and partially pedestrianized.
A3033 Weston-super-Mare Uphill Originally the B3127, it previously terminated on the original A370 Locking Road. Although a bypass for the town centre, most traffic seeking to avoid the town centre uses the unclassified Winterstoke Road.

Originally ran along Southbroom Place (now Southbroom Road) in Devizes, cutting the corner between the A342 and A360 and just missing the A361. Now a portion of the A360, although it may have been a spur before this.

A3034 Unused Ran along York Road between the A36 and A38 in Bristol. Initially thought to have become an eastern extension of the A370 in 1935, a mid-1960s map shows the route as still A3034 and the 1974 AA Touring Guide to England shows the road as A3024 (a typo), meaning the route may have had its number until the 1970s; it is now likely that the change was in 1935, but was later reversed as some large scale OS maps from the 1940s and 1950s show the road as A370.

Number possibly later used along Queen Street in Maidenhead; possibly a typo for the A3064 or it may have been changed later on for some reason.

A3035 Southampton Southampton Common Originally ran from Axbridge to Cross. Renumbered as a spur of the A371 in the 1935 renumbering.
A3036 County Hall, London Wandsworth Formerly the A303.

Originally ran from the A358 in South Petherton to the A37 in Ilchester. Between 1927 and 1932 it was extended over the B3090 to the now-gone A344 near Stonehenge. Renumbered to the A303 in 1933; the A3036 number was reused as a renumbering of the original A303. See also: Albert Embankment

A3037 Unused Ran from the A358 (later A303, now unclassified) to the A374 (later A358) in Ilminster. Declassified in 1988 due to completion of the Ilminster bypass and the declassification of the A303.
A3038 North Town, Taunton Rowbarton, Taunton Originally linked Ditton Street to High Street in Ilminster. Renumbered as a spur of the A3037 in the 1935 renumbering; now unclassified due to completion of the Ilminster bypass and resultant decommissioning of the A3037.
A3039 Bath Bath Originally ran along the western part of Chard Street and part of Victoria Place in Axminster. Became a spur of the A374 (later A358) and is now part of the A358 itself. May have been the shortest identified A road in the British Isles at just 174 ft (53 m).
A3040 Branksome Wallisdown Originally a loop off the A376 in Budleigh Salterton. Still marked as A3040 on a 1958 OS map, it was likely downgraded at the same time as the A376. Now part of an extended B3178.
A3041 Unused Ran from the Devonport seafront to the A386. Decommissioned when the present A38 opened: the southernmost section is unclassified, the route through Stoke is now the B3396 and the section from Milehouse to Hartley is now a rerouted A386.
A3042 Unused Ran from the A389 (later A38, now A374) in Devonport to the A387 (later A388, now A3064) in Keyham. Downgraded in the 1970s after the current A38 opened and is now the B3396.
A3043 Unused Ran from the A3042 (now the B3396) in Devonport to the A3041 (also now the B3396) in Stoke. Renumbered to A3049 for reasons unknown.
A3044 Staines upon Thames Harmondsworth Originally ran from Plymouth Street to Ford Street in Tavistock. Became a portion of the A390 when Ford Street was declassified.
A3045 Unused Loop off A390 in Lostwithiel. Decommissioned due to completion of the Lostwithiel bypass and is now part of the B3268.

Later reserved around 1970 for "existing parallel length of A329 when passed by the S.E. Reading to N.W. Wokingham relief road", but the number was not used.

A3046 Woking Chobham Originally ran from the A39 and A393 to the A394 northwest of Penryn. May have been renumbered as a spur of the A394 in 1935 (shown as such on a 1957 OS map) but is now part of a rerouted A39, forming a portion of the Penryn bypass.
A3047 Scorrier Camborne Originally ran along Clinton Road in Redruth, paralleling the original A393 (now B3300). Probably renumbered as a spur in 1935, but is now unclassified.
A3048 Unused Ran along St Thomas Road connecting the A388 to the then-A30 on the west side of Launceston Castle and was later extended along the old A30 to the A30 southern bypass when it was built in the 1940s. Now just a spur of the A388.
A3049 Fleetsbridge Boscombe Number first used on a road cutting the corner between the A3 and the A27 near Portsmouth; was the first A3xxx number allocated after the original 1922 classification. Became a spur of the A27 in 1935 and later part of the A27 itself after the Cosham and Havant bypasses were built.

Next used as an unexplained renumbering of the A3043 in Plymouth. Now part of the B3396.

A3050 Weybridge Hampton Court
A3051 Botley Locks Heath
A3052 Charmouth Clyst St Mary Formerly part of the A35.

Originally ran from Salisbury to the A303 north of Cholderton; was the B3085. Became a portion of a rerouted A338 in 1935.

A3053 Unused Ran from Bradford-on-Avon to Melksham in Wiltshire; was the B3104. Downgraded following the completion of the A350 Melksham bypass; the section within the bypass is now part of the A3102 and the remainder is now the B3107.
A3054 Ryde Totland Northern part of Isle of Wight circular A-Class loop. Most of the Newport to Ryde section was the A3022 until 1935.
A3055 Ryde Totland Southern part of Isle of Wight circular A-Class loop
A3056 Newport Sandown Originally ran from Blackwater to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight; was the B3326. Swapped with the A3020 in 1935.
A3057 Southampton Andover
A3058 Mellanvrane St Austell
A3059 St Columb Minor St Columb Major
A3060 Red Hill Roundabout, Bournemouth Iford, Dorset, Bournemouth Originally ran from St Austwell to Charlestown. Became an eastern extension of the A3061 in 1935.
A3061 Unused Ran between the A391 to a pier in St Austwell harbor; formerly the A390 and A3060.
A3062 Odd Down Widcombe Originally used in 1926 as an unexplained renumbering of a section of the A287 west of the A32. Returned to the A287 in 1935.
A3063 Heston Hanworth Road, Whitton First used along an old routing of the A3 in Kingston when the A3 number was used for the Kingston bypass instead of the A239. The A239 would have been out of zone, so the A3063 number was used instead. Became the A308 (to the north) and A307 (to the south) by 1932.

Next used as an upgrade of the B3021 from Old Windsor to Datchet. Renumbered as an extension of the A328 in 1935, but has since gotten its old number as it was downgraded back to the B3021.

A3064 Milehouse Weston Mill Originally ran along Queen Street in Maidenhead, cutting the corner between the A308 and A4; not on the 1922 Road Lists, but designated in 1927. Renumbered as a spur of the A308 in the 1935 renumbering, but is now unclassified and completely pedestrianized.
A3065 Staplegrove Bishop's Hull Known as "Silk Mills Road"

Originally ran along the old A4 through Twyford. Renumbered as not one, but two spurs of the A321 in the 1935 renumbering; now the A3032.

A3066 Haselbury Plucknett Bridport
A3067 Unused Ran from the A36 to the A33 with a spur (former B3057) to the A3035, formed a portion of the South Coast Trunk Road (the T37) from 1946. Originally the A35 until it was renumbered to A3067 around 1940 for unknown reasons (probably to remove the multiplex with the A36) and became the A36 again when Tebourba Way was built in 1953.
A3068 Unused Ran from Christchurch to Lymington; was a portion of the B3054. Renumbered as a portion of the A337 in 1935.
A3069 Unused Ran from Lymington to Lyndhurst; originally portions of the B3056 and B3057. Renumbered as a portion of the A337 in 1935; the section in Lyndhurst is part of the town's A35 one-way system.
A3070 Unused Formerly connected the A35 southeast of Axminster with Lyme Regis via Uplyme; now downgraded to the southernmost section of the B3165.
A3071 Penzance St Just in Penwith Originally ran along Stony Lane in Axminster. Although the road was still shown as an unnumbered A road on maps into the 1960s, the number had been reused in Cornwall in 1935 with the original route becoming a spur of the A373 or A358 (former A374). Now downgraded to a portion of the B3261.
A3072 Bickleigh Bude
A3073 Stratton, Cornwall Bude Originally ran from Exeter Inn to Bampton, formerly a section of the A396. Returned to the A396 in the 1935 renumbering, but as a spur; downgraded to a portion of the B3227 after the A361 was downgraded.
A3074 Lelant St Ives
A3075 Trevemper, Newquay Chiverton Cross, Blackwater
A3076 Mitchell Gunmows Shop, St Newlyn East
A3077 Unused Ran from the A30 west of Penzance to the A30 at Trereife; formerly the B3314 from Penzance to Newlyn while the link to Trereife was the southern section of the B3316. The Penzance-Newlyn section is now unclassified while the remainder became a portion of the B3315.
A3078 Probus St Mawes Originally used for the Plymouth northern bypass; originally the B3246. Renumbered A374 in 1935 and then became a portion of the A38 in the 1960s when the Tamar Bridge opened. Much of route now the B3413 after the A38 was rerouted, although the two ends are unclassified.
A3079 Okehampton Holsworthy A3079 was previously used for the road from A30 northeast to Ilminster, which became part of the then-new A303 when that route was created
A3080 Unused Ran along Bathwick Street in Bath, forming a shortcut between the A4 and A36. Now a spur of the A4 or A36, depending on direction of travel, although maps and the local council claim it as a spur of the A36.
A3081 Unused Renumbering of the eastern half of the B3241 in Plymouth. Downgraded to the B3214, probably around the same time the A386 was rerouted.
A3082 St Blazey Fowey
A3083 Helston Lizard
A3084 Unused First used in south Cornwall between Par and Holmbush along the westernmost section of the B3271 (much of which became the A3082 except for this section), but it became a portion of the A3082 anyway in 1935.

Used a second time in 1937 as a temporary number for the northern section of the Exeter Bypass (renumbered from the A378), but it became the A38 in 1938 when it was rerouted (old A38 became the A3085).

Used a final time in 1975 between Redhills and Alphington on the western edge of Exeter. Declassified in the late 1970s when the A30 western bypass was built.

A3085 Unused Original routing of the A38 in Exeter before it was rerouted on top of the A3084. The northern section is now mostly the B3212 and much of the multiplex is now pedestrianized. The section from the River Exe to the northern edge of Alphington is now the A377, the route into Alphington itself is now the B3123 and the remainder unclassified. The southern end is now gone, lost under the A30 bypass.
A3086 Unused Location unknown, but since the A3095 was created in 1935 this clearly did exist. This may have been a short-lived road from Andover to Micheldever (upgrade of the B3049; became part of the A303).
A3087 Firepool, Taunton Rowbarton, Taunton Also known as the NIDR (Northern Inner Distributor Road). Previously allocated to a road from the A36 (now Tollgate Road) via Rampart Road to the A30 (now Winchester Street) in Salisbury.
A3088 Yeovil Stoke-sub-Hamdon
A3089 Unused Location unknown, but since the A3095 was created in 1935 this clearly did exist. This may have been on the road that became part of the A303 as shown in the A3086 entry above.
A3090 Near Winchester Near Totton Formerly part of the A31. Before this, the A3090 was allocated to the road from the A31 through Winchester to the A33; this became the B3040 and an extension of the B3047, and the A3090 was reused on the current route.
A3091 Unused Ran via Sussex Street and City Road from High Street (then the A272) to Hyde Street (then the A3090) in Winchester. Downgraded in 1995 due to completion of the M3 over Twyford Down; Sussex Street is now the southern end of the B3420 and City Road is the western end of the B3330.
A3092 Unused Ran on Eastgate Street, Union Street, North Walls from The Broadway (then the A31) to Hyde Street (then the A3090) in Winchester as an upgrade of the B3044. Downgraded in 1995 due to completion of the M3 over Twyford Down and is now part of the B3330.
A3093 Andover Andover
A3094 Harnham Quidhampton Forms a southern ring-road around Salisbury
A3095 Sandhurst Bracknell
A3096 - A3097 Unused
A3098 Frome Westbury
A3099 Unused

Four-digit roads (31xx and higher)

[edit]
Road From To Notes
A3100 Burpham Milford Formerly the A3 before the Guildford and Godalming bypass was built.

Originally allocated to the Guildford Bypass; renumbered to the A3 in 1934 when the remainder of the bypass was completed (the old route of the A3 became the current A3100). Now part of the A25 after a further A3 bypass was built.

A3101 Unused
A3102 Swindon Melksham Former A420 and B3102
A3103 - A3109 Unused
A3110 Parting Carn, St Mary's Parting Carn Circular road on St Mary's island
A3111 Hugh Town Parting Carn The most westerly classified road in England
A3112 The Parade, Hugh Town, St Mary's Parting Carn/St Mary's Airport The most southerly classified road in the United Kingdom
A3113 M25 J14 Heathrow Airport
A3114 - A3120 Unused
A3121 Wrangaton Ermington Formerly B3210. Also uses parts of the former B3196.
A3122 Halwell Dartmouth Formerly part of B3207
A3123 Combe Martin Ilfracombe Formerly part of B3343
A3124 Whiddon Down, Drewsteignton Great Torrington Formerly part of B3220 and unclassified roads
A3125 Barnstaple Barnstaple Formerly part of A39
A3126 Tiverton Tiverton Formerly part of A396
A3127 - A3199 Unused
A3200 London Bridge County Hall Southwark Street/Stamford Street/York Road
A3201 A300 Southwark Bridge Road The Borough Marshalsea Road
A3202 Lambeth North station The Borough
A3203 Lambeth Bridge St George's Circus Lambeth Road
A3204 Elephant & Castle Vauxhall Cross Kennington Lane, part of the London Inner Ring Road
A3205 Vauxhall Battersea In the London Borough of Lambeth: Nine Elms Lane; in the London Borough of Wandsworth: Nine Elms Lane, Battersea Park Road
A3206 Ran from A3205 to A3212 in Battersea. Became a portion of the A205 (now A3220).
A3207 York Road, Battersea Lavender Hill, Battersea Falcon Road
A3208 Ran on Wandsworth Bridge Road in Wandsworth from the A308 to the A3205. Now part of the A217.
A3209 Wandsworth Putney Bridge
A3210 A240 in Surbiton A243 in Surbiton Short link road.

Previously allocated to Wildcroft Road and Portsmouth Road in Putney Heath.

A3211 Westminster Tower of London
A3212 Trafalgar Square Chelsea Whitehall, then Millbank and following the north of the Thames along the Chelsea Embankment to Battersea Bridge. The Houses Of Parliament are on this road.
A3213 Pimlico Eaton Square Previously allocated to a road in Pall Mall, London (now the A4). A 1926 MoT map shows the route as part of a rerouted A4, but a later OS 1951 map still shows the route as A3213.
A3214 Buckingham Palace Royal Hospital Chelsea
A3215 A3214 in Buckingham Palace A302 in Buckingham Palace
A3216 Knightsbridge Clapham Common In the City of Westminster: Sloane Street, Sloane Square, Chelsea Bridge Road, Chelsea Bridge; in the London Borough of Wandsworth: Chelsea Bridge, Queenstown Road (including Queen's Circus); in the London Borough of Lambeth: Queenstown Road, Cedars Road
A3217 Victoria Chelsea
A3218 South Kensington Fulham Old Brompton Road, Lillie Road
A3219 Fulham Fulham Dawes Road
A3220 Clapham Common White City
A3221 Ran along Fairfield Street between the A3205 and the A3 in Wandsworth. Now part of the A3, although it is labeled as the A217 on some maps.
A3222 - A3258 Unused
A3259 Staplegrove Monkton Heathfield Formerly part of the A361.
A3260 - A3279 Unused
A3280 Listed in the 2005 DfT road list as connecting the A259 and A27 in West Sussex. Possibly a typo for the A280.
A3281 - A3289 Unused
A3290 Winnersh Reading Former western section of the A329(M).
A3291 - A3299 Unused
A3393 Unused Ran from the A36 (now Fishoerton Street) in Salisbury along the Salisbury ring road northeast to the A30 as an upgrade of the B3393. Now part of a rerouted A36.
A3400 Hockley Heath Near Chipping Norton Out-of-zone as it runs in Zone 4, but intentionally chosen as a reminder of the former A34 designation.
A3604 Bath Bath
A3611 Reserved Reserved for a road in Trowbridge from 2006.
A3807 A38 in Taunton A3027 in Taunton
A3822 A38 in Plymouth A386 in Plymouth Part of the new Forder Valley West link road.
A3860 A386 in Plymouth Tamar Science Park Shown on OS maps from 2019, but is unsigned nor does it appear on internet maps. Initially thought to be a copyright trap or a typo, but Plymouth Council has confirmed that the route does indeed exist.

Notes and references

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme

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A roads in Zone 3 of the are the class A roads whose numbers begin with the digit 3, forming a radial network primarily serving south and west in a sector emanating from . This zone, the third in a clockwise sequence from the northern A1 radial, covers regions south of and west of , including parts of , , , , , Dorset, , , and . The numbering system was established in 1922 by the Ministry of Transport as part of a national classification to standardize road identification and signage across , drawing inspiration from radial patterns used in other European countries like . Zone boundaries are defined by principal single-digit A roads, with Zone 3 lying between the A3 (to the east) and A4 (to the west), ensuring that roads originating within this sector receive a leading 3. Principal routes use two-digit numbers (e.g., 30–39), while branches employ three digits (300–399) for regionally significant links and four digits (30xx) for local connections; roads crossing zone boundaries clockwise retain their original number to avoid renumbering. Notable routes in Zone 3 include the A3 from London to Portsmouth, providing access to the south coast; the A30 from London via Salisbury to Penzance in Cornwall, a historic artery to the far south-west; and the A35 from Southampton through Dorset to Honiton in Devon, serving rural and coastal areas. These roads handle significant traffic volumes, often paralleling motorways such as the M3 (shadowing parts of the A3 and A31) and supporting tourism, commerce, and daily commuting in one of England's most densely populated and scenic regions.

The Numbering Scheme

Overview of A Road Classification

A roads in Great Britain are designated as major trunk roads intended for longer-distance inter-urban travel, linking key towns, cities, and regions while forming the backbone of the non-motorway road network. They differ from B roads, which handle more localized and lower-volume , and from motorways (M roads), which provide controlled-access, high-speed corridors exempt from certain vehicles and restrictions. This classification emphasizes A roads' in facilitating efficient movement of and across the country, often serving as the primary arteries for non-express . The origins of A road trace back to 1922, when the Ministry of Transport developed a national numbering system to standardize routes amid growing use, replacing inconsistent local naming conventions with a unified framework. Implemented on April 1, 1923, this scheme categorized roads into classes, with A roads prioritized for their strategic importance in connecting population centers and supporting economic activity. By establishing clear identifiers, the system enhanced navigation and maintenance planning for what were then emerging as vital national assets. In the road hierarchy, A roads typically accommodate higher traffic volumes and link major destinations, with primary A roads—distinguished by red directional signs—forming the core Primary Route Network (PRN) for the most critical through-traffic links, while non-primary A roads, marked by white signs, provide supporting connections. These routes vary in length, from short urban extensions of a few kilometers to extensive radials exceeding 600 km, such as those radiating northward from . Maintenance responsibilities fall to national bodies, including for England's strategic A roads, for Scotland's trunk network, and the for , ensuring consistent standards across devolved administrations. Funding for construction, upkeep, and improvements derives from general taxation, integrated into broader budgets rather than hypothecated vehicle excises. As of 2024, A roads total approximately 47,600 km in length throughout .

Zone System in Great Britain

The zone system for numbering A roads in Great Britain was established in the early by the Ministry of Transport as part of a structured approach to classify and identify primary routes, drawing from proposals developed between 1921 and 1923. This system divides the country into nine zones radiating clockwise from , with the initial framework outlined in a May 1921 paper titled "Suggested System of Route Numbering" by Col. Richmond, which emphasized a hub-and-spoke model to facilitate route planning and navigation. The zones were designed to align with anticipated radial infrastructure, such as motorways; for instance, the later paralleled routes in Zone 1, reflecting the forward-thinking integration of the numbering scheme with broader transport development. Implemented under the authority of the Ministry of Transport Act 1919, Section 17(2), the system was finalized and published in the official "List of Class I and Class II Roads and Numbers" on April 1, 1923, covering initially before extension to . Under the core rule of the , the first digit of an A road number designates its starting zone, while subsequent digits indicate the route's direction (such as north-south or east-west progression) and its relative importance, with lower numbers assigned to primary radial routes connecting to major cities or ports. This mechanic ensures logical sequencing, where roads in the same zone progress numerically to reflect their path away from the zonal origin, promoting ease of use for motorists and planners alike. Exceptions exist for roads that cross zonal boundaries, which often retain their original numbers to avoid disruption, and there is no strict enforcement for short spurs or loops, which may use supplementary numbering conventions like additional digits or temporary designations. A conceptual of these zones, showing radial divisions without specific routes, can effectively illustrate the clockwise progression from across the country. Over time, the zone system evolved to encompass all of , with zones 1–6 radiating from to cover , and zones 7–9 radiating from to cover , adapting to post-1930s infrastructure changes such as motorway and local authority . Zone 3, in particular, designates south-western radials originating from the area, aligning with the system's emphasis on regional connectivity. Within the broader hierarchy of roads, A roads serve as the primary non-motorway network, with the zonal numbering reinforcing their role in linking urban centers and supporting national traffic flow.

Zone 3 Specifics

Boundaries and Coverage

Zone 3 of the is geographically defined by its position west of the , which runs from to , and south of the A4, extending from to (now ). This delineates a radial sector originating from , encompassing the southwestern approaches to the capital and fanning out towards the and coasts. The zone excludes any routes positioned north of the A4 corridor or east of the A3 alignment, ensuring a clear demarcation from adjacent areas. The coverage spans south-west England, incorporating counties such as Dorset, , , , , and partial areas of . Roads in this zone typically originate in or near before extending southwestward, traversing a mix of urban centers like and expansive rural landscapes including . In terms of zonal interactions, Zone 3 shares its southeastern boundary with Zone 2 along the and A4 radials, while it interfaces with Zone 4 to the west, particularly near where some routes transition across the divide. These boundaries, established under the 1922 numbering system, have remained largely unchanged into 2025, with no significant alterations to the core geography. However, minor reclassifications of certain spurs have occurred in response to regional processes, adapting local connectivity without reshaping the primary zonal extents.

Significance and Development

Zone 3 A roads play a crucial role in connecting London to the South West Peninsula, facilitating access to key ports such as Southampton via routes like the A36 and A303, which link to the M27 motorway. These roads also provide essential gateways to tourist destinations in Cornwall through the A30 and A38, supporting seasonal influxes of visitors, while the A36 and A46 connect to industrial hubs around Bristol via the M5 and M4 motorways. Additionally, roads such as the A35, A36, and A46 handle significant freight movements to south coast ports and northward to the M4 corridor, with the Strategic Road Network (SRN) overall supporting approximately 70% of Great Britain's road freight. The economic significance of these roads is substantial, particularly in bolstering and in the South West. In 2021, visitor expenditure in the region reached £8.7 billion, supporting 145,000 jobs, with major contributions from areas like and that rely on A road access for arrivals. Strategic A roads enhance in primary industries like by improving market access and reducing transport costs, though specific regional figures for agricultural GDP attribution remain limited. Overall, SRN-dependent sectors, including and logistics, are projected to contribute £578 billion in (GVA) and support 8 million jobs UK-wide by 2050, with the South West benefiting from enhanced connectivity to national markets. Rural sections of Zone 3 A roads, however, face to flooding, which disrupts freight and tourism flows in areas prone to heavy rainfall. Development of Zone 3 A roads accelerated post-World War II to accommodate rising and the boom, with expansions aimed at linking growing holiday destinations in the South West to urban centers. For instance, the A303 saw early bypass constructions in the and to improve reliability, evolving into dualling projects from the onward, including proposals for the bypass first considered in that decade but facing delays and revisions through the 2000s and into the 2020s due to environmental concerns; as of November 2025, the UK government is revoking the Development Consent Order for the proposed tunnel, effectively halting the project. Current challenges include persistent congestion on principal routes like the A30 and A31, exacerbated by seasonal ; the A30, for example, records average daily of around 70,000 vehicles near key junctions, contributing to it being identified as the most congested road in the South West during peak months. Looking ahead, Zone 3 A roads are set for integration with broader initiatives to address and capacity issues, including pilots for charging infrastructure along major routes to support net-zero goals. Feasibility studies have explored dynamic options, such as overhead wires for heavy vehicles on strategic A roads, to reduce emissions from freight traffic. While direct spurs to HS2 (primarily a rail project linking to Birmingham) are not planned, improved road-rail interchanges in the South West could enhance multimodal connectivity, aligning with national strategies for and resilience against climate risks like flooding.

Roads by Number Length

Single- and Double-Digit Roads

The single- and double-digit A roads in Zone 3 of the numbering scheme constitute the primary radial arteries connecting to the southwestern peninsula, providing essential links from the capital through , , Dorset, , and to key coastal and rural destinations. These routes, maintained predominantly as trunk roads by , emphasize strategic connectivity for freight, tourism, and regional access, with many sections upgraded to standards to accommodate growing traffic volumes. Collectively, they span approximately 800 miles, underscoring their role as the foundational network for Zone 3's transport infrastructure. The , stretching 67 miles from southwest to via , serves as a critical artery for , facilitating access to the major ferry port at for Channel crossings to France and . Sections of the A3 were dualled in the 1990s, including the 12-mile and bypass opened in 1992, enhancing safety and capacity along this high-volume corridor. The A30, the longest road in Zone 3 at 284 miles from in to in , traverses diverse terrain from urban outskirts to rugged moorlands, supporting vital economic links to the . It represents the longest double-digit A road in the scheme overall, with significant upgrades including the dualling of the to section through phased projects like the 2.8-mile Temple to Higher Carblake improvement opened in July 2017. Running approximately 60 miles from to , the A31 bridges the with the , offering a key east-west corridor through and Dorset that integrates urban ports with scenic heritage areas. As a primary route, it handles substantial regional , with segments enhancing flow between the South Coast and inland Dorset. The A35, approximately 97 miles from to , functions as a predominantly rural connector through Dorset and , linking coastal towns like and while navigating the hilly landscapes of the and Blackdown Hills. This route supports local economies in and , with limited but ongoing maintenance to preserve its role in regional mobility. The A36 runs 44 miles from to Bath, providing a key link between the south coast and the , passing through and supporting regional travel with sections of . The A38, at 292 miles from in to in , is the longest double-digit A road in , with its Zone 3 portion extending through and northward to the zone boundary near , serving as a major north-south spine. This facilitates heavy goods and inter-urban links, featuring extended sections like the Devon Expressway to bolster its national significance. The A39, extending 189 miles primarily from Bath to Falmouth in (with extensions), is a vital coastal and rural route in Zone 3, known as the Atlantic Highway, connecting key towns like , , and , and supporting tourism along Devon's and 's north coast. These core radials are designated as primary routes under the Highways Act, ensuring prioritized funding for maintenance and improvements to sustain their strategic function within Zone 3's southwestern coverage.

Triple-Digit Roads

Triple-digit A roads in Zone 3 of the , designated as A300 to A399, function primarily as regional connectors within south-western , linking smaller towns and rural areas across counties such as Dorset, , , , and . These routes typically branch from principal radials like the A30 and A303, providing supportive access for local traffic and rather than serving as major national arteries. Unlike longer single- and double-digit roads that span multiple zones, triple-digit roads in this area emphasize intra-regional connectivity, often traversing scenic landscapes including coastal and heritage sites. The A303 exemplifies a prominent triple-digit road in Zone 3, extending 92 miles from Junction 8 of the M3 near Basingstoke in Hampshire to Honiton in Devon. This primary route passes through Wiltshire, including a controversial section adjacent to the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, where it has historically experienced congestion and safety issues due to its single-carriageway configuration in places. Proposals for full dualling of the A303, including a tunnel bypass at Stonehenge, were advanced to improve capacity and reduce environmental impact, but the Amesbury to Berwick Down scheme was halted in July 2024 amid funding reviews and its Development Consent Order revoked in October 2025, with partial upgrades like the Sparkford to Ilchester section completed in November 2024. Recent engineering efforts on the latter 3.5-mile stretch have been recognized for excellence in converting a congested single carriageway to dual, enhancing connectivity to the south-west. Further east, the A338 spans approximately 88 miles from in Dorset northward to Bessels Leigh near Abingdon in , acting as a vital connector. It facilitates movement between the south coast and inland areas, intersecting with routes like the A31 near Ringwood and supporting commuter and freight traffic in a predominantly single-carriageway alignment. A 5.2-mile upgrade in the area, completed in recent years, improved safety and flow on this busy section. The A361 stands out as the longest triple-digit A road in the UK at 195 miles, running from in to Kilsby near Rugby in , crossing into adjacent zones but originating in Zone 3. This extensive route links coastal communities to the , passing through , Tiverton, and , and includes modern dual-carriageway segments like the North Devon Link Road opened in 2015 to bypass bottlenecks. It branches from the A39 Atlantic Highway and underscores the expansive reach of some Zone 3 triple-digit roads despite their regional focus. On the Isle of Wight, the A3054 provides a 12-mile link from to Newport, serving as an essential connection for island traffic and . This non-primary route supports access to coastal and integrates with the island's circular A-road network. Other notable triple-digit roads include the A354, which covers about 30 miles from to Weymouth in Dorset, aiding along the by connecting inland areas to the port and beaches. Similarly, the A358 extends roughly 12 miles between Ilminster and in , handling local commerce and recently targeted for dualling enhancements before plans were paused in 2024 due to affordability concerns. These roads collectively prioritize non-primary functions, such as serving holidaymakers on routes like the and managing everyday regional movement, with many sections remaining single-carriageway to preserve rural character.

Four-Digit Roads

Roads Numbered 30xx

The roads numbered in the range within Zone 3 of the A-road numbering scheme primarily consist of short, urban distributor routes and local links, often serving as spurs or bypasses in densely populated southern English areas such as , , Dorset, and . These roads typically range from under 1 mile to around 10 miles in length, facilitating connections to major radial routes like the while accommodating high traffic volumes in residential and commercial districts. Unlike longer principal A roads, the series emphasizes local over long-distance travel, with many originating from the road numbering system to address urban congestion in . Collectively, these roads span approximately 50 miles, characterized by low speed limits (often 20-30 mph), frequent junctions, and integration with hubs, reflecting their role in supporting urban mobility rather than regional throughput. Predominantly urban in nature, they are concentrated in the London and areas, with extensions into coastal and suburban zones further west, where some trace origins to Victorian-era infrastructure adapted for modern use. High traffic density is common, particularly during peak hours, due to their proximity to ports, docks, and town centers, though recent improvements have focused on junction enhancements for safety and flow. Representative examples illustrate the localized focus of the 30xx series. The A3000, a 1-mile distributor in west London from Kew to Turnham Green, parallels Chiswick High Road and avoids the Chiswick Roundabout, providing relief for local traffic heading toward the A4. Originally allocated in 1922, it handles moderate volumes in a residential setting with speed limits around 30 mph. Further south, the A3024 serves as a 6.2-mile link from to Bursledon in , acting as a key artery to the city's docks and connecting to the M27 via the A27; it includes the Northam Bridge, the UK's first major road bridge opened in 1954, which carries traffic over the River Itchen. In Dorset, the A3049 runs 8.6 miles from to , functioning as a major distributor around Poole and a suburban connector in Bournemouth, linking the A35 to coastal areas while bypassing town centers. It features urban sections with 30 mph limits and rural stretches toward the east, recently improved with bus priority measures and resurfacing along Ringwood Road to enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Extending to , the A3075 provides a 9.3-mile (15 km) connection from to Chiverton Cross, serving as the primary access to the town from the A30 trunk road and supporting along the north coast. Realigned as part of the A30 dualling project completed in June 2024, it was truncated by approximately 0.5 miles with grade-separated junctions added and maintains 40-50 mph speeds outside urban zones. The A3080, historically a short urban link in Bath (formerly Bathwick Street, 0.5 miles connecting the A4 and A36 via Cleveland Bridge), exemplifies reallocation in the series, now defunct but illustrative of how 30xx roads adapt to changing urban needs; its former role highlighted Georgian-era bridge engineering from 1827. These routes often intersect double-digit mains like the A3, enhancing zonal connectivity without dominating long-haul travel.
RoadLength (miles)Primary LocationKey Purpose
A30001.0West London (Kew to Turnham Green)Urban relief route parallel to A4
A30246.2Hampshire (Southampton to Bursledon)Docks access and M27 link
A30498.6Dorset (Poole to Boscombe)Distributor bypassing town centers
A30759.3Cornwall (Newquay to Chiverton Cross)Coastal access from A30
A3080 (former)0.5Somerset (Bath)Historic A4-A36 shortcut

Roads Numbered 31xx and Higher

The roads numbered 31xx and higher in Zone 3 of the A road comprise a diverse set of short to medium-length routes, totaling approximately 100 miles, that function as local spurs, urban connectors, and rural bypasses primarily in and the southwest peninsula. These roads often branch from triple-digit A roads to provide targeted access to towns, bridges, or relief alignments, reflecting the zone's transition from dense urban environments in to peripheral rural areas in , , and . Unlike the more compact 30xx series, the 31xx and higher numbers exhibit greater variability in length and purpose, with increasing designations towards the zone's western edges supporting coastal and mining heritage links in . The A3100 is a 9.4-mile rural route in , extending from the Burpham Interchange with the to Milford, where it meets the A283. Originally part of the A3 alignment before the 1930s bypass construction, it passes through town centre and , serving as a key link for local traffic in the Wey Valley while incorporating sections of shared pedestrian and cycle paths in recent active travel improvements. The A3121 spans 5.6 miles (9 km) in south , connecting the A379 west of Modbury to the A38 east of near Ermington. Designated as a safer roads initiative due to historical collision rates, this undulating route supports regional connectivity between coastal and expressway networks, with ongoing widening and junction enhancements to improve safety for vehicles and cyclists. Among the shortest in the network, the A3200 measures 1.6 miles (2.6 km), linking on the A3 Borough High Street to County Hall in along the of the River Thames. This urban stub facilitates access to landmarks like the London Eye and , handling high pedestrian and tourist volumes within London's congestion zone while designated as a principal road under management. It is often cited as one of the briefest A-class designations due to its role as a localized connector rather than a through route. Further into the zone's periphery, higher-numbered roads in the A39xx series serve as spurs in , linking major arteries like the A39 and A30 to coastal communities. For instance, the A392 covers 7.5 miles (12.1 km) from to St Columb Road (junction with A30), providing essential access to beaches, the , and china clay quarries, with its construction in the aiding growth in the region. These routes exemplify the scheme's extension to remote areas, emphasizing scenic rural bypasses over long-haul travel.

Historical Changes and Notes

Initial Numbering and Renumberings

The initial numbering of A roads in Zone 3, encompassing south-western England west of the A3 and south of the A4, formed part of the Great Britain road classification system established by the Ministry of Transport in 1922. This rollout prioritized radial routes from London, with the A3 (London to Portsmouth) and A30 (London to Land's End) designated as the primary Zone 3 boundaries, reflecting their alignment with historic Roman roads—such as the route to Portus Adurni near Portsmouth—and longstanding coaching routes that had served as principal arteries since the 18th century. These single- and double-digit roads were assigned first to emphasize their national importance, drawing on Ordnance Survey mappings and consultations with motoring organizations to classify over 8,000 miles of roads nationwide. A comprehensive renumbering occurred on 1 April 1935 across , aimed at resolving duplications and improving logical flow within the zonal framework, as documented in Ministry of Transport circulars. In Zone 3, the A303 had been created earlier on 1 April 1933 as a relief route parallel to the congested A30, diverting the A30 northward via Stockbridge while reassigning the former A30 alignment from near Micheldever through Andover, , and to the new A303; the change had been piloted in 1933 with the Basingstoke bypass opening. The A31, originally numbered in 1922 from westward, underwent minor adjustments during this period to integrate local spurs, though its core route remained intact. Meanwhile, parts of the original A35 were realigned, with subsequent extensions incorporating former A373 segments west of . These modifications addressed overlaps and enhanced connectivity, affecting dozens of routes in the zone based on traffic surveys and local authority inputs. Post-war adjustments from the 1950s to 1970s focused on integrating emerging motorways, often requiring deroutings and renumberings to maintain zonal consistency and avoid numbering conflicts with adjacent Zones 2 and 4, as roads crossed boundaries like the A3-A4 divide. For instance, sections of the through Cosham were bypassed with the M27's opening in 1976, rerouting the to connect directly to the new motorway while reclassifying the old alignment as the A397. Similar changes affected over 40 Zone 3 roads, including spurs and parallels, to prevent duplication—such as the A35 extension in 1966, which incorporated the Honiton bypass and renumbered prior A373 sections from to for better radial alignment. These alterations, driven by rising vehicle ownership and upgrades, were recorded in Ministry of Transport annual reports and have seen no significant revisions since the 1980s.

Recent Developments and Decommissionings

In the and , several upgrades focused on improving capacity and safety along key Zone 3 routes, particularly the A30 and A303, which serve as vital links to the southwest. The A303 between and South Petherton was dualled in a 4.5-mile online scheme that opened on 13 December 1990, addressing congestion on this strategic corridor near the Devon-Somerset border. Similarly, the A30 saw multiple bypasses and dualling projects, including the 4-mile Fairmile and Fenny Bridges Bypass ( to , Stage 2) that opened on 25 February 2000 as a to reduce bottlenecks in . These efforts were part of broader national initiatives to modernize trunk roads, though environmental concerns, such as those surrounding chalk grassland impacts, led to delays and protests in some cases. The 2010s brought further significant enhancements, with a emphasis on completing dualling schemes to create continuous high-standard routes. A notable example is the A30 to dualling, specifically the 2.8-mile Temple to Higher Carblake section in , which opened on 14 July 2017 after construction addressed challenging terrain across and Goss Moor; this £56 million project improved journey reliability for traffic heading to the southwest . The A39 also benefited from bypass developments, such as the 1-mile Cannington Western Bypass in , which opened on 17 December 2015 to divert traffic from village centers and enhance local connectivity. Decommissionings during this period often involved downgrading superseded single-carriageway alignments to B roads, as seen with sections of the old A30 through Goss Moor, which were realigned and the former route reduced in status to support environmental restoration efforts post-dualling. Into the 2020s, investments under the Road Investment Strategy 2 (2020-2025) have accelerated upgrades amid rising traffic volumes and climate challenges. The A30 Carland Cross to Chiverton Cross dualling in , a 9-mile offline scheme costing £330 million, fully opened on 24 June 2024, completing a major gap in the route's dual-carriageway network and reducing travel times by up to 20 minutes for journeys to and beyond; the former alignment through Goss Moor reopened to traffic in March 2025. Similarly, the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester dualling in —a 3.5-mile project valued at £155 million—opened on 4 November 2024, providing a continuous link and alleviating chronic congestion near the A358 junction. In , the A382 Houghton Barton link road near , a £7.4 million relief scheme, completed its first phase in spring 2023, enhancing access to industrial areas and incorporating active travel provisions as the UK's first "carbon negative" highway initiative. The A38 Saltash Tunnel underwent a £25 million technology upgrade starting in late 2024, with completion targeted for late 2025; as of November 2025, civil engineering works were near completion, improving safety systems and ventilation without altering the road's classification. Decommissionings remain limited but targeted, often tied to urban regeneration or bypass completions. For instance, parts of the A3065 in were downgraded to unclassified or B-road status around 2015 following local reviews, prioritizing pedestrian safety in rural areas. More recently, short sections of the A3123 near were removed from the A-road network in 2022 to facilitate pedestrianization schemes in town centers, redirecting through-traffic to parallel routes. Ongoing projects, such as the proposed A31 upgrade near Stoborough in Dorset, are in planning for 2025, focusing on junction improvements to mitigate flooding risks exacerbated by . On the A39, recent adaptations include drainage enhancements in Carhampton (completed 2022), which incorporated larger pipes and flood control features to protect against coastal inundation, reflecting a shift toward resilient . These changes underscore a balance between expansion and , with over 10 major interventions in Zone 3 since 2020 aimed at supporting while addressing environmental pressures.

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