carriageways

Carriageways is the British term for the paved portion of a road used by vehicles, equivalent to the American "roadway." A single carriageway has traffic flowing in both directions on one road surface, while a dual carriageway—similar to a divided highway—separates opposing traffic with a central barrier or median.

The accident blocked both carriageways of the motorway.

The term reflects an era when roads were built for horse-drawn carriages rather than motor vehicles.