[1] It connects the M6 motorway to Aston and Central Birmingham and forms part of the much longer A38 route.

It is extremely unusual as it is the only single carriageway motorway in the United Kingdom and consists of seven lanes with no central reservation, and operates a tidal flow system in an attempt to minimise congestion.

It enters a cutting before reaching the second junction, where the tidal flow ends as does the motorway.

The motorway was also crossed by a vinegar pipeline, carrying the condiment from one part of the since-demolished HP Sauce factory to the other.

The Expressway was the first road in the United Kingdom to introduce tidal flow to allow better management of traffic.