Driving into NW London

Ben6899

Okay fellow forumites.

I know there are a lot of Londoners in 'Commuiting' and I need some advice/suggestions. Me and my better half are driving to the Alps tomorrow - in a motorhome - to watch the Tour. I am driving to Kentish Town (from Yorkshire) this afternoon and have never made this journey before.

It's not that I'm a nervous driver or am dreading driving into London, but I wouldn't mind a bit of advice on any routes to avoid - bearing in mind I'll be hitting London about 6pm. Just to throw it out there, this is my current plan:

A1
A1(M)
A1
A41
A406
A502 down Haverstock Hill
Local roads

Any thoughts?

Cheers!

spen666

Where are you trying to go to?

Its difficult to advise you without knowing where you are driving to and from.

Ben6899

Kentish Town. Says in the OP, mate.

_Brun_

I'd suggest you'll be better off staying on the North Circular until it turns into the A1 again, then stick with that until you get to the A400 at Archway. The North Circular is bound to be pretty busy, but once you're off that it shouldn't be too bad, all the traffic will be going in the other direction.

You'll pass within about 1/3 mile of my house, although I won't be there cos it's Friday night and I'll be in the pub.

Ben6899

Which is the North Circular? A41?

Sorry for the questions!

_Brun_

North Circ. is the A406. You'd actually only be on it very briefly, the A1 runs into it and then splits off again.

Ben6899

That makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much!

Kieran_Burns

_Brun_ wrote:

I'd suggest you'll be better off staying on the North Circular until it turns into the A1 again, then stick with that until you get to the A400 at Archway. The North Circular is bound to be pretty busy, but once you're off that it shouldn't be too bad, all the traffic will be going in the other direction.

You'll pass within about 1/3 mile of my house, although I won't be there cos it's Friday night and I'll be in the pub.

I think you need to understand the London definition of pretty busy compared to the Yorkshire one

pretty busy (Yorkshire): 3 cars visible on the same road at the same time (not necessarily occupied)
pretty busy (London): you are not actually aware of tarmac as you cannot see any due to the sheer volume of traffic, you've been staring at the same lamp post for 30 minutes, the granny with a zimmer frame you passed is now out of sight in front of you somewhere, you now have an extra child, you have lost the will to live. the petrol station is 400 yards away when you have 1/4 tank left and are not sure you will make it.

Take food with you

_Brun_

I think you need to appreciate that some people who live in London have only been here five years, having grown up in Yorkshire and (coincidentally enough) done a three year stretch in Derby.

:P

joelsim

Yes, it could be gridlock at that time. Allow an extra hour on top of what AA routefinder says at least. A41 and A406 and A1 will all be busy. Loads of bloody cyclists getting in the way too! :shock:

Ben6899

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I think you need to understand the London definition of pretty busy compared to the Yorkshire one

pretty busy (Yorkshire): 3 cars visible on the same road at the same time (not necessarily occupied)
pretty busy (London): you are not actually aware of tarmac as you cannot see any due to the sheer volume of traffic, you've been staring at the same lamp post for 30 minutes, the granny with a zimmer frame you passed is now out of sight in front of you somewhere, you now have an extra child, you have lost the will to live. the petrol station is 400 yards away when you have 1/4 tank left and are not sure you will make it.

Take food with you

Possibly true in certain parts of Yorkshire! I have plenty of food and beer in the fridge, so I'll be okay.