Summer Driving (hopefully...)

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:22
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Zar1
Any chance of some advice?

I've lived in Spain for 10 years, always managing to avoid the summer jams in England on my occasional return trips. However, this year the plan would be to go from Portsmouth to North Devon on the 22 July, exactly one day after the schools break up!! Am I likely to be stuck for hours and hours as everyone rushes off on holiday to the West Country/New Forest or will most people wait until August to go on holiday? Would it better to travel on the 21st or early on the 22nd?

As all of you I hate jams but as I live in a place where jams are an exception you can understand my desire to avoid one, especially with a 2 year-old in the back!!

By the way I hear rumours that Portsmouth is a nightmare for traffic at the moment and they want to put 20mph limits in all the streets?

Thanks

Jonty
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:36
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Armitage Shanks {p}
Not quite the answer to your question but, if you live in Spain, wouldn't the ferry to Plymouth from Sanatander be a viable alternative? It will be expensive but it will save you driving all thru France and at least one of your Portsmouth crossings will probably a night one = a cabin needed = more expense. Just a thought!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:38
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Zar1
Thanks.

I'm doing Bilbao to Portsmouth. I did the drive through France last year, and although everything went fine (no problems with French drivers) this year I prefer to relax and let P&O take the strain for 1100 euros!!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:40
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Zar1
I'm from Portsmouth, hence the decision to go there. Moreover the Santander option is more expensive!!!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:39
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Altea Ego
Are you barking mad? You want to travel to Devon on the 1st Saturday of the school holidays?
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:41
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Zar1
It's going to be bad then?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:46
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Altea Ego
Yes its going to be bad. It could be worse, you wont be going down the M5 and you should avoid the A303 and most major east / north to south west routes.

Still going to be a longish journey tho.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:45
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - local yokel
Daughter #1 was just 1 when we had to go to a wedding in Somerset on 1st of sch hols. Stuck in the usual crud from Bristol almost to Taunton that day. Luckily it was an evening wedding, and we'd left London 0800 so as to get there early and her settled.

Totally carp day to make that journey.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:50
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - local yokel
Portsmouth ferry terminal is yards from the end of the M275, so 20 mph limits won't affect you.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 16:56
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Zar1
I haven't explained myself clearly. As well as the trip to Devon I will be spending 4 weeks in my lovely old city of Portsmouth.

By the way do you think that 2 parking tickets in Portsmouth from last year (on my Spanish car) will come back to haunt me? Will customs stop me on entrance? The great HJ has said no (because it is not now a criminal offence) but what do you think?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 17:01
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Altea Ego
You are still barking. 4 days in Portsmouth is enough. Two of those are down the pub while the wife is carrying out a terrorist raid on Gunwharf Quays. Another is doing a tour of the dockyard, and one half visiting the fort (royal armoury) on portsdown hill and the other half submarine museum at gosport.

After that - get the hell outa there.

Travel to Devon midweek.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 17:08
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Zar1
Nice one. I spent 28 years there and my mum would be especially annoyed if I disappeared after 4 days!! At least Pompey is a lot better than it was (apart from all the traffic problems) and we might even stay up at Birmingham's expense!!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 24 Apr 2006 18:08
Summer Driving (hopefully...) - Altea Ego
Not with the west ham reject in charge for long you wont,
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

A guide to how much VED you will need to pay on your car.

Road Tax Bands and Rates