Anyone here commute from Portsmouth to Guildford?
Discussion
Hi all, does anyone do the above? I've been offered a new role (more money) but slight minus point is that it will involve a 40 mile commute up the A3. I would imagine the closest I will be to rush hour is getting into the centre for around half seven to eight in the morning.
I've driven through Guildford more times than I can remember to get to London at all times of the day (and night) with the exception of early morning and it seems good, but not sure what it's like trying to drive through town once off the A3, albeit its literally about a mile off the A3 where I'd be working. Does the A3 back up far in rush hour, going Northbound onto the M25?
I've driven through Guildford more times than I can remember to get to London at all times of the day (and night) with the exception of early morning and it seems good, but not sure what it's like trying to drive through town once off the A3, albeit its literally about a mile off the A3 where I'd be working. Does the A3 back up far in rush hour, going Northbound onto the M25?
Used to do it from Locks Heath to Science park for BAE Detica, used to get up and leave and 05:-05:30 for a better journey in. Leaving Guildford science park was always a pig.
Vowed never ever again, but then I got a job with a pay rise that is a mile from home and I can work from home.
Vowed never ever again, but then I got a job with a pay rise that is a mile from home and I can work from home.
I'm about to start a similar commute but a bit further up the A3. During school holidays when I was going up for interviews and chats it was really easy going, but now I suspect it'll be pretty s
t.
Guildford can get pretty bad, but once you're clear it's pretty much plain sailing until the M275. We're looking at moving, but we actually really like living in Portsmouth, so if I get a better car I might just keep it going and keep a stack of audio books etc ready for Guildford.
Anyway, Silver ST170 Focus, give me a wave if you see me, I'll be starting the big commute in 2 weeks time.
t. Guildford can get pretty bad, but once you're clear it's pretty much plain sailing until the M275. We're looking at moving, but we actually really like living in Portsmouth, so if I get a better car I might just keep it going and keep a stack of audio books etc ready for Guildford.
Anyway, Silver ST170 Focus, give me a wave if you see me, I'll be starting the big commute in 2 weeks time.
Ah right, best of luck Greg, might ask you in two weeks time how it's going if that's okay. I quite like Portsmouth as well, and it's cheap compared to anything Petersfield and beyond. I've always quite fancied Clanfield myself which is a bit further up the A3 but the mrs will take some convincing to move. I've got a S2000 but there's no way I'll be doing the commute in that...
I'm thinking possibly a cheap diesel Toyota Corolla, or similar. Seem to be able to pick one up for around £1500-2000. The other option for me is getting the train but a season ticket is £4200 a year. Ridiculously expensive, but I will be getting around 2.2k in what is a sort of relocation allowance versus what I get currently, per year, which will offset some of the travelling cost.
I do work shifts albeit predominantly is likely to be 08:00 starts. There is usually some degree of flexibility though in my employment with start times so may for instance be able to do 07:00 starts and leave early.
I do work shifts albeit predominantly is likely to be 08:00 starts. There is usually some degree of flexibility though in my employment with start times so may for instance be able to do 07:00 starts and leave early.
I live in Clanfield, moved here from Waterlooville a couple of years ago. It's a nice, safe area and close to QE country park if you're interested in walking/cycling etc. I don't commute to Guildford, but know the route you describe. As has been said, it does get very busy on the A3 around Guildford, but I guess if you can get to work as early as 7am you'll miss most of the main rush hour traffic in both directions.
Hi I was doing Gosport to Guildford daily for a few months, working up behind the town centre and parking at the London road station.
The trip up was always better, leaving Gosport by 0630 to avoid the a32 car park.
Coming off the a3 was always ok, and getting in to the train station was easy.
The trip home was always worse.
You get all the school traffic so big mums taxis with one child in....
Later everyone seem to leave at once so it's just grin and bare it I'm afraid.
The join up at a3 is a pig which ever way you do it with queues back from the jag garage all the way until on the a3.
Lots of staff empty out of the science park too and not forgetting all the hospital staff who leave round the 6pm time.
Once on the a3 it's usually fine.
Watch out at the hindhead tunnel when lots of people appear to think that the national speed limit is 50!!!
It's 70 but they all seem to slow down.
The trip up was always better, leaving Gosport by 0630 to avoid the a32 car park.
Coming off the a3 was always ok, and getting in to the train station was easy.
The trip home was always worse.
You get all the school traffic so big mums taxis with one child in....
Later everyone seem to leave at once so it's just grin and bare it I'm afraid.
The join up at a3 is a pig which ever way you do it with queues back from the jag garage all the way until on the a3.
Lots of staff empty out of the science park too and not forgetting all the hospital staff who leave round the 6pm time.
Once on the a3 it's usually fine.
Watch out at the hindhead tunnel when lots of people appear to think that the national speed limit is 50!!!
It's 70 but they all seem to slow down.
Hi Charliesmum,
I also live in Gosport and I might be commuting to Guilford, but I am thinking of the train as an option (quite regular, every half an hour or so and it would take 1 hour there and 1 hour back). The job is full time and I have been wondering if it would be too much and have an impact on my heath. Any insight (by anyone) would be very much appreciated.
I also live in Gosport and I might be commuting to Guilford, but I am thinking of the train as an option (quite regular, every half an hour or so and it would take 1 hour there and 1 hour back). The job is full time and I have been wondering if it would be too much and have an impact on my heath. Any insight (by anyone) would be very much appreciated.
I Work on the science park and drive up from bognor. Not so much of an issue for me as I leave very early.
However I do join the A3 at Milford. I'm hitting the A3/A31 junction just into Guildford around 6:40 and its normally very good unless there has been an accident. If I decide to leave 30 mins later I find its OK (moving) I think any later then it gets worse and worse. Some times if its backed up to Milford then I go back and through godalming. It feels slow but you do move and it add about another 10 mins to the drive.
We have a lot of staff that come from Portsmouth but they all leave very early.
I also find that leaving 3-3:15 gets you caught up in the school run but 4pm seems to be a lot better.
So my advice is to see if you can get flexi time and start early and leave early
However I do join the A3 at Milford. I'm hitting the A3/A31 junction just into Guildford around 6:40 and its normally very good unless there has been an accident. If I decide to leave 30 mins later I find its OK (moving) I think any later then it gets worse and worse. Some times if its backed up to Milford then I go back and through godalming. It feels slow but you do move and it add about another 10 mins to the drive.
We have a lot of staff that come from Portsmouth but they all leave very early.
I also find that leaving 3-3:15 gets you caught up in the school run but 4pm seems to be a lot better.
So my advice is to see if you can get flexi time and start early and leave early
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