Off to France in a couple of weeks via Dover. On checking the AA route planner it mentions major works on the M25 after junction 1a. Can someone in the know tell me what the M25 is like at the moment.Should I expect major delays.
I'm also undecided whether to go via the M40 or down the M5 to the M4. Any advice appreciated.
|
|
I travel from just outside Staines (J13 M25) to Worcester twice a week. I find the M42/M40 consistently troublesome. I recommend getting off the M5 South at J11a and using the A419/417 which goes via Cirencester down to J15 Swindon of the M4. Nice road, dual carriageway all the way except for a couple of miles. It cuts out a big chunk of the M5 and M4. To the M25 at Slough/Staines from Worcester a comfortable 2 hours not pushing it.
|
Second that statement about the A417.
Had to drive from Taunton to Stafford then back down to Boscome Down today and came back via M5 off @ Junction 11A then A417 to M4 then A338 to A303. First time down the A417 great road.Taunto to Stafford leaving 0515, arrived Stafford 0730, Left Stafford @ 0845 BD @1130 no hold ups no stationary traffic well surprised !
|
It depends totally what time of the day you are travelling and also what day of the week.
I find M42/M40 no problem, although the A417 is very good.
If you are going for a really early morning ferry I would consider driving straight through London.
M40/A40/Euston Road and you will pick up signs for A2 - its a lot shorter.
|
|
|
Can't disagree about the A417. One word of warning though, if you are travelling at peak times listen out for travel bulletins.
That route takes you up a steep hill to the notorious Air Balloon Roundabout. Trucks regularly break down on this incline causing long delays.
|
|
Depends on time you are travelling but agree with M5, A417 (or is it 419?), M4 from Swindon but you can leave M4 at A329M and head round Bracknell (it's only a few miles on A-roads) to pick up the M3 which cuts out the M25 roadworks bit, then M3 to M25, M25 southern section to the M20 (or whatever) to get to the coast.
|
|
Agree with Ivor about M4 A329M through Bracknell to M3,J3 although if at peak rush hour you have to watch Bracknell and the single road from the Siemens roundabout and Northbound M3 at Junc 2 snarls up going into M25 northbound roadworks (blocking the inner lane for the M25 southbound)
|
Agree with Ivor about M4 A329M through Bracknell to M3,J3 although if at peak rush hour you have to watch Bracknell and the single road from the Siemens roundabout and Northbound M3 at Junc 2 snarls up going into M25 northbound roadworks (blocking the inner lane for the M25 southbound)
Ditto Ivor E Tower and Renault Family. Bracknell-M3-M25. I often use this in reverse when travelling to my brother's place just off the A40(M) ust inside the M25.
|
|
|
|
Whatever route you decide on - and there is some good advice in these posts - leave a big big margin time wise. Recent journeys I've made; travelling to Wales from North London unlucky enough to come across an M4 westbound closure after the toll at the Severn crossing. Apparently one Iraqi national deceased and another sought. Complete closure westbound. 10 lanes into 2 - off at the next junction and then round a roundabout onto a 2 lane country road. Lost 3 hours 15 minutes!!!
More recently set off for Stroud from North London. After a few minutes on the M25 (joined at Jct 24) the matrix signs said M25 closed! Great - will it clear before I get to it? Will I catch the tailback soon? Went north at South Mimms and worked my way across country. Slow but never stopped.
Travelling from Stafford to home yesterday during rush hour. Amazed there was no accident. The driving standards I observed were appalling. Tailgating, complete failure to use mirrors, on the phone etc. How did these muppets get their licences?
No wonder I'm thinking of abandoning the South East and moving to Scotland.
Douglas
|
What day and time is your journey?
I have often used the M40 from Warwick south towards London.
Never had a problem. I tend to leave M40 at J4, take the A404 and rejoin M4 at J9 to avoid one chunk of M25.
I often leave the M4 at J5 and take the road to Staines where you can rejoin M25 at J13 having missed another lump of M25.
If the M25 is screwed up in the Staines area I can give you route to stay of the M25 until rejoining at J9.
It is worth plotting a few emergency routes in case the M25 really screws up.
The M25 road works have a 40 mph limit for miles and several Gatsos. Most drivers are now keeping to the speed limit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good advice here. I can support the A329(M)/M3/M25 through Brackness advice. We use this every time we visit m-i-l in Bristol and there's rarely any problem. Funny thing about the M25 works around Heathrow though, the only times I've had to go through them there has been jams at either end but it's been free-flowing through the contraflows.
If you're on the boat of course you don't need to sweat over missing one, there's another along in 45 minutes and there's not normally any charge for changing sailings.
Have a great time - which bits of La Belle France are you visiting?
--
Terry
|
|
Hi. Thanks for all the replys. The ferry leaves at 6.15pm. I'm planning to leave home around midday, once we've dropped off the ankle biters (a whole weekend kid free-bliss).
|
|
|
|
