Off on holiday to South of France this weekend, starting off with driving from Glasgow to Calais on Sat. Usual route of M74, M6, M1, M25 and M20.
Any holdups, roadworks, planned disruption that anyone is aware of on this route?
Or am I Cruise Controlled at 77mph for the whole way?
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M1 widening around Nottingham so cruise set for 50mph for about 5 miles, M1 round Luton is still a building site. M6 to M40 would avoid both these areas, assuming you want to go anti clockwise on M25.
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Watch out for the SPECS cameras in the M6 extension roadworks between Gretna and Carlisle - particularly on the way back - the last camera N bound is right up against the road works end sign - about 1/4 mile past any visible signs of actual road works!
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I also noticed that one and it is also temptingly close to the NSL sign which is located even further after the end of the roadworks. See 3 clear lanes with NSL sign in distance, decide to get a move on and the last camera could catch you out.
Edited by daveyjp on 26/06/2008 at 13:26
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www.traffic-england.co.uk/TCC/
Select region required, tick " roadside message boards" and if you see lots displayed then click on them to read the current message. Magnify the map if required.
Beware routes with an extra red edge:-(
Tune in to local radio stations en route.
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Or you could do the sane thing and fly! They have rental cars in France you know :)
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Thanks for info so far, Nsar, its hard to fill my airplane luggage full of booze!
And the driving is the bit, believe it or not, that I enjoy most!
I hate hate hate lying on a sandy beach or by a pool for ten hours a day. Hate hate hate!
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I don't fancy the UK part of your journey one bit but at least you have the French roads to look forward to.
I drove back from 50 miles south east of Bordeaux to Boulogne on Saturday - just under 600 miles in 8 hours of driving and about 1.5 hours of breaks. No accidents, no hold ups, queue free tolls, roads completely clear all the way and almost deserted north of Le Mans. perfect for cruise control.
The price of fuel was a bit of a killer compared to last year - diesel is now only a few cents less than unleaded - 1.55 vs 1.60 on the autoroutes, 10 cents less in the towns. The exchange rate made it quite a bit more expensive but like you I enjoy the driving and being able to carry more of your "stuff" and for us bringing some home grown produce back from St Emilion was a must do!
Enjoy!
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Consider turning off the M1 and heading along the A14/M11/M25 I did this trip on return to the UK last week, my friend did the trip in reverse as well the well before. Traffic free (mostly) zero hold ups one bit of roadworks. Very boring ride but went quite quickly.
Edited by Pugugly on 26/06/2008 at 20:49
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PU - you do mean the A14, not the A13, don't you?
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I went from Hertfordshire to the south coast about this time last year on a one stop strategy. Its a nice easy route apart from the Paris bit that takes forever whilst getting cut up a fair few times.
Millau is worth it though. The southbound crossing is far more dramatic than the one on the way home - enjoy!
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A14 it is will edit my own post.
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Much nicer to go via Rouen and Chartres, rather than Paris. Marginally longer, but less potential for delays or hassle.
pmh
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pmh, we normally like to go down through Paris on the way there, and then come back up the East side via Lyons on way back. The East side is , from my experience, certainly a faster road.
But I can't wait to see the Millau Bridge....
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The advantage of Calais Rouen Chartres Orleans is the lack of traffic and very few HGVs.
At Millau there is a viewing area to the N of the bridge, but if you wish to goto the visitor centre with a true French audio visual presentation (who? designed the bridge),you can only access it from the on the south side on the D992, immediately below the bridge.
Where are you visiting? I have a good knowledge and can offer some suggestions from Nimes- Bezier. see my profile.
pmh
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pmh, heading to Mediteranee Plage, down at the Med. Been down that way a couple of times before at Valras Plage and Vias.
Looking forward to a lazy 10 days down there, although we had (at planning stage) contemplated trying to go to Barcelona for the day. Had a look at train timetables but seemed to be about 50 Euros a head so might give that a miss!
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Traffic on Sat might be lighter but I usually avoid M6 / M1 because of traffic density.
My route is M74/M6 to Penrith, then A66 (more dual sections have opened this year - though still a few single carriageway slow bits), A1/A1M then M11 to M25.
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If you use M6 then take the relief road - there are roadworks at Castle Bromwich.
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rcspeirs, strange you say that as some route finders take me A66 and others straight down M74 / M6.
I appreciate the A66 now has some more dual carriageway but I always find that its at the single lane bits that you always come up against the tractors and slow moving lorries.
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M25 - there's still some prat digging up the road at about J26, and also M1 9-6. I think the idea of M6 (definitely use the toll) / M42 / M40 / M25 anti-clockwise / M26 / M20 is your best bet.
Have a great holiday.
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Were you to stop off in Rouen, Le Toque d'Or was nice last time we went, last year.
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