Quote: Originally posted by artc on 30/4/2018
HI, thanks for all the replies, the MILTON keynes route is not any good for me as I will be coming from Chester down the A41 to the M54-M6 toll-M40-M25-M26-M20 to Dover, do any of you know of any hold ups on this route?
If you are going anti-clockwise on the M25, the worst stretch is probably from the M40 (junction 16) to junction 13. Even though this stretch has been increased in width in the last few years, it is notoriously bad. The junctions for the M4 and Heathrow Airport can cause severe congestion at times. However, I don't know of any planned roadworks in the area, best to check online nearer the time.
Quote: Originally posted by artc on 30/4/2018
HI, thanks for all the replies, the MILTON keynes route is not any good for me as I will be coming from Chester down the A41 to the M54-M6 toll-M40-M25-M26-M20 to Dover, do any of you know of any hold ups on this route?
The problem with the southern side of the M25 is Heathrow and Gatwick which can be the cause of congestion. If you are using the M6 Toll just carry onto the M6 and then join the M1 south. On a good day both will be clear but on a bad day the opposite could be true.
I think it might be just me and the fact that the M1 doesn't like me very much. However, I could probably count on my fingers the number of times I've completed the whole of the stretch from the M6 to the M25 without a notable delay. My suggestion to Dover from the Midlands would be via M40 and M25 anti-clockwise - as others have said the stretch between Junctions 16 and 13 (M40 to Heathrow) can be very heavy during morning or evening rush hour periods but usually keeps moving at other times. I last did that journey a week and a half ago and there were no delays due to roadworks.
If you need to go clockwise via Dartford consider using A14 and M11 from the M6. Again it normally flows fairly freely provided that you avoid Cambridge at rush hour.
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Quote: Originally posted by SamandRose on 01/5/2018
If you need to go clockwise via Dartford consider using A14 and M11 from the M6. Again it normally flows fairly freely provided that you avoid Cambridge at rush hour.
Personally I would avoid the A14 and the top end of the M11. The A14 is on the traffic reports nearly every day because of delays due to accidents, and there are massive roadworks planned on it. The M11 north of Stansted Airport is only 2 lanes in each direction, and if anything does happen on it the tailbacks can be horrendous. It's fine south of there though, except maybe at rush hour. I prefer the A507 to the A14. It's only a single carriageway road, but it's a good road and much less busy. The A14 is nose-to-tail HGVs, as is the top end of the M11, but they rarely use the A507 even though they can. Several different options off the A507. A10, A120 to Stansted, or A10, A414 through Harlow onto the M11, or even A1, M25 clockwise. These are routes I have used hundreds of times when I was working, and many times since, as I live not far from the A10 - A414 junction.
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 29/4/2018
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 29/4/2018
Only ever used Dover the once. Never again. The terminal is a dump, and the ferry akin to a poor mans Ryanair trip, and thats poor. And dont get me started on Dunkirk! Its Portsmouth to St. Malo every time.
Why does that matter? they are only ferry ports and still much cheaper than longer crossings. DFDS we found fine.
When i go on holiday, the holiday starts on the way to the port....or airport. So if these places are crap - which Dover and it ferries most certainly are, it gets the holiday off to a poor start.
But, if you are happy to pay nowt at either end, you cant expect a lot in return.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: motorways to dover
