Proposed alternative rush hour route</p> 35 mins further than conventional route but avoids midlands rush hours chaos so net result ought to be good.</p> Woodhead to M56 J10 (probably slowest part)</p> A49 via whitechurch shrewsbury hereford to monmouth then conventional approach.</p> Leaving at 4 we should land at 8.00</p> Whats tha think</p>
Tough one. We seem to hit quite a few smaller towns on the alternative route - any or all could harbour delays. The motorway will be horrid. Really horrid. This, naturally leads me towards plan B but I'm not over convinced it'll be any quicker. Still, if it means we're actually moving for most of the journey, at least the drive will be more pleasant.
Its 9 miles further and largely by-passes the major towns I could be wrong like but I cannot see us beyond brum in 3hrs via motorway. Would rather be travelling at a constant 50 than 80/10/70/20/40/80/0/80/20/70 etc.</p> Never travelled the route mind but i've looked at my large scale map and it passes through about 3 small towns. Goes through Hereford but that should not be while 7 ish so should be clear.</p> A minor tweak could be to go from Hereford on the A465 to Abergavenny via Cwmbran to Newport.</p>
I will await collection at Birdwell M1 southbound Slip 4pm dont be late.</p> Unless its pissing down then I'll find a convenient adjacent location with cover and call you.</p>
Erm If we're going over Woodhead, I won't be taking the M1 Southbound. So if you're planning on waiting there, take your sleeping bag! Also, (Starkey's finish time permitting) I might be able to get off a bit earlier. Emma is on a training day and so will finish at one. I finish at 3 in Leeds but will be home by 3:35 and will pack stuff on Thursday night. So, bundle it in the car and off. If Woodhead is the plan, how about outside McD's at Tankersley?
Doh!! Sounds perfect. I can finish at 3.30 - can be at McD's at 3.40.</p> I can always have a shitburger if its raining when you are late</p>
Only a personal opinion, but I reckon it would be quicker on the motorway. On a friday, the clogs on the M1 tend to be Northbound not southbound. And, when you take minor roads you can never do a constant 50 because you are forever slowing down for traffic lights, roundabouts etc. The effect is that your average speed can be as low as 20-30. You could find that a back road route could take 6 hours or more. Once you get past Solihull on the M42 it will be plain sailing. I don't know the route you are taking, but work with someone who sometimes has to travel from home in the welsh hills to North Wales. The journey can take over 3 hours, without ever leaving Wales. It's bigger than you think when you are travelling slowly. And some of the roads in Wales are very slow.
Aye but the A49 is not a minor road And I have extensively travelled from Tarn to Milford Haven and allways went through mid / west wales. Once I even did the return in a day with 2 hours+ on site and a lunch, back in tarn by 9pm.</p> Who knows but my experience of the motorway network at rush hour in the midlands is not good. britains largest car park!</p> Getting past solihul at the time we are travelling may take 3hrs.</p>
RE: I will await collection at Birdwell M1 southbound Slip allt route:. </p> M1,to j21</p> M69 to j1 (approx 1hr)</p> A5(s) to high cross(approx 2 1/2 miles)</p> turn right onto B4455 fosse way, It turns into A429 futher down.This takes you through the cotswolds (very scenic)It follows the course of the old roman rd cross country. You can see down the road for miles in parts so its easy to pass and can keep a constant 50mph no probs .You will be on this road for about 2- 2 1/2 hours</p> follow all way to A40 and head right towards Cheltenham.</p> Stay on A40 through Cheltenham to M5 (It used to take me about 4 hours to here every monday morning, but that was in a transit)</p> Then either pick up the M5 and over the bridge or straight on and pick up the A48 past Gloucester for Newport/Cardiff M48</p> check it out on ya map. its a top route if your not in such a hurry that you need to get stuck in traffic.</p>
I haven't a clue - OFFICIAL I always do the old M1, M42, M5, M50, A449, M4 to Cardiff, never had much of a problem with Friday rush hour traffic.
I reckon If we can get moving by 3.45 and give it some boot, I reckon the motorway will be OK. If for any reason we can't get going until 4 or later, the back roads are worth a go.
Done both routes and a very 'scenic' one that Mr Ali invented. The Welsh Marches route you sorta describe is a nice run but not fast in all honest. Though if your leaving at 4pm you'd hit manc/cheshire rush hour
