A34 road

The A34 is a major trunk road in England. It runs from Salford, Greater Manchester, in the north, to Winchester, Hampshire, in the south. The road is a mix of dual carriageway and single carriageway sections.

Its route passes through or near several major towns and cities including: Manchester, Stockport, Wilmslow, Congleton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent, Stone, Stafford, Cannock, Birmingham (indirectly, via the M6 Toll), Sutton Coldfield (indirectly), Solihull (indirectly), Stratford-upon-Avon (indirectly, via other A roads), Oxford, Newbury, and Winchester.

Historically, the A34 was a key route for traffic travelling between the Midlands and the south coast. However, the construction of motorways such as the M40 and M6 has reduced its strategic importance for long-distance journeys, particularly in its central sections. Despite this, the A34 remains a vital road for local traffic and regional connectivity. It is known for experiencing congestion, especially around urban areas and during peak travel times. Improvement schemes have been carried out at various points along its length to address these issues.