Safe Speed Forums

I am driving to see my sister tonight.
she lives off the M20. Coming down from Mighty Tamworth I have to take the M40 to the M25. It looks roughly the same distance ethier way round the M25 to the M20.

Basicaly
Is there a way round which is better than than the other in terms of traffic?

_________________
Oct 11 Birmingham Half Marathon. I am running for the British Heart Foundation.
http://www.justgiving.com/Rob-Taylor

Quite simply, no.

If you go clockwise you'll run into the heavy traffic, the Dartford Tunnel and it's toll. If you go anti-clockwise then you run into heavy traffic all the way.

Next time I'd advise you to come down early on a Sunday morning to avoid any traffic. Unless there's a bike race at Brands Hatch of course.

_________________
Prepare to be Judged

slightly longer in miles, less busy and good roads:

Either A5 or M6 to the A14
A14 eastbound to the M11
M11 to M25

This avoids all the nasty M25 bits around the M1, A1(N) and Holmesdale Tunnel.

_________________
COAST Not just somewhere to keep a beach.

A young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law.

How far down the M20? Can you use M25->M26->M20?

Both are pretty dire, if you use the southern route you do not have to pay the toll. When you do it is most important, before 6.30 in a morning and after 8pm at night. If you have to do daytime get on after 9.30am and off before 2.30pm is best.

_________________
Driving fast is for a particular time and place, I can do it I just only do it occasionally because I am a gentleman.
- James May

Thanks for the tips, will probbally leave Tamworth between 6 and 7, we are in no real hurry.

_________________
Oct 11 Birmingham Half Marathon. I am running for the British Heart Foundation.
http://www.justgiving.com/Rob-Taylor

The later you leave, the easier it will be. I would wait until 8 or 9 O'Clock if you are not in a hurry and you will probably have an easy journey. Any earlier and you WILL get held up!

Could try A14,M11,M25 ETC - thats the way i go to see mine in kent off m2.Always found that side easier going than other way round.

Watch out for cams on A14 , TRUVELLOS SIGNED about corby and anoter a few miles (also signed) later on BEFORE junction with A1.. Also on A14, JUST BEFORE M11.

Although it is worth bearing in mind that the A14 seems to be a permanent feature in radio traffic news

Might be ,but usually about rush hour -likewise M25 (ANTI SECTION),M6, J2/3 --MOST DOUBLE DIGITS,M40 ,specially round about J9, J10 to A43-and of course routes in/out of Birmingham.Not forgetting M42 ,at the same time. (Not trying to be sarcastic,for benefit of flamers).

Oh look. People plan to avoid congestion when they can. What do we need road pricing for again?

_________________
Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

I've done those areas so many times that I know where the worst areas are. Also, I've done them on a bike so that I can avoid the congestion

_________________
Prepare to be Judged

I thought the clockwise route took you across the QE2 bridge, not through Dartford Tunnel.

The QE2 bridge is aptly named - It's queuey too

Quite correct, but I was trying to point out the toll rather than the method of crossing from Kent to Essex

_________________
Prepare to be Judged

There isn't a toll, going clockwise from Essex into Kent across QE2 Bridge - or at least there wasn't, last time I went that way which was c2001. Has this changed?

Never known a time when there wasn't a toll both ways, unlike Severn Bridge which is one way (from memory out of Wales)

Dartford Crossing has a toll BOTH ways. They are on the same side of the river so going anti clockwise you pay before the tunnel and clockwise you pay after the bridge.

Apparently the toll payable for using the bridge was supposed to end once the bridge had been paid for - which happened in 2003 - but the UK Government has chosen to continue the toll nonetheless - ostensibly on the grounds of safety (that removing the toll will increase traffic locally above the route's capacity).

What twaddle. If anything it would improve the congestion around the area as vehicles will not be constantly stopping. This would also benefit the A2 and associated roads through Dartford - closing the bridge brings Dartford to a standstill.

_________________
Prepare to be Judged

Oh OK. I've only been across QE2 bridge once, and couldn't remember paying a toll.

I agree with what R1Nut says about the government's reasons for keeping the toll. "Twaddle" is right!

Sorry forgot to point out that was quoted from Wikipedia (so must be correct, right?)