Commute to Birmingham International

Commute to Birmingham International

Author
Discussion

jdwoodbury

Original Poster:

1,343 posts

205 months

Wednesday 9th April 2014
quotequote all
Hi All,

I am shortly moving to Worcestershire and wanted to know what the commute would be like from the M5 at Bromsgrove to Birmingham International Station. I only need to do this journey once a week and am happy to make an early start, Google Maps tells me it's a 35 minute drive to the station but when does it get busy on the M42 south of Birmingham?

Cheers,

JD

dynamodux

11 posts

131 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
you would be better doing the train,

motorway can snag up going to junction 2.

ive been on there at 7.30am and its been busy.


Rich A

248 posts

158 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
At that time in the morning it often drops to a crawl between J3 and where the M42/M40 split. I join from J3 and allow an extra 15 minutes.

M42 from J6 to J4 can often run slowly in the evenings too, but you can see if the traffic is moving from the train (assuming you're coming up from the south). There are a few none-motorway routes you could scout out to avoid it.

gjf764

1,302 posts

174 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
Once a week you'll be fine, just leave loads of time. There's no direct train from Bromsgrove to International.

Allow time to park when you get to international

jdwoodbury

Original Poster:

1,343 posts

205 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies, I expect to be through to the station by 7am so hopefully that will a better time to get across the M42.

blueg33

35,563 posts

223 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
Its ok. I used to commute fron the wrong side of Evesham to Birmingham Business Park (just the other side of the NEC) it took about 50 minutes or so. Occasionally the M42 was a pain but its better since the variable speed limit has been introduced. Big events at the NEC can still mess things up though.

Now I drive to Birmingham Internation station twice a week, and again its about 50 minutes but I can get it down to 40 if I leave before 6 am.

My route is A46, A435, M42

marcosal

396 posts

204 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
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There are alternatives to the M42 that may be more reliable in terms of time. I am sure you will find your own route once you have moved and are local

Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
Long time since I did it, but I used to go to the Redditch area from Warwick on the A4189. Wasn't a bad run. Mentioned it as there's Warwick Parkway rail station outside Warwick, just to add to options as it takes the M42 out of the equation by doing Warwick -Birmingham International on train

blueg33

35,563 posts

223 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
jdwoodbury said:
Thanks for the replies, I expect to be through to the station by 7am so hopefully that will a better time to get across the M42.
Before 7 am you should be fine. I get to BHi at 6.53 ish and the M42 is no problem

Pit Pony

8,265 posts

120 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
I used to drive from Longbridge to Hampton in arden every day, and NEVER used the motorway. Look at the map from Bromsgrove and see what FUN you might have.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/The+NEC+Birmingham...

Edited by Pit Pony on Thursday 10th April 21:44

dynamodux

11 posts

131 months

Friday 11th April 2014
quotequote all
gjf764 said:
Once a week you'll be fine, just leave loads of time. There's no direct train from Bromsgrove to International.

Allow time to park when you get to international
yeh sorry its bromsgrove to newstreet and then to international smile

blueg33

35,563 posts

223 months

Friday 11th April 2014
quotequote all
dynamodux said:
gjf764 said:
Once a week you'll be fine, just leave loads of time. There's no direct train from Bromsgrove to International.

Allow time to park when you get to international
yeh sorry its bromsgrove to newstreet and then to international smile
And ofetn its standing room only from Bromsgrove to New Street on the commuter trains

mab1

390 posts

226 months

Friday 11th April 2014
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I do this from Redditch between 1 and 4 days per week. It takes 30 minutes from my house to the car park on average if I am getting on the 7:40 or earlier, so I allow a minimum of 40 but aim for 50mins to allow for traffic and morons in the car park.

But I get on the m42 at J3, the worst of the traffic always seems to be coming up the hill towards that junction. I would consider coming across country via bromsgrove to J3.

If the M42 is knackered I go via hockley Heath and knowle, that adds about 10 minutes give or take

DAB964RS

214 posts

166 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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M42 J2 - J3 tend to get congested after 7am. If you're planning to arrive at B'ham International at 7am you should comfortably do the journey including parking and short walk to the station in 40 minutes. If you're leaving later, it becomes less predictable. Just watch out for the weeks when there are major shows on at the NEC, the M42 gets busier earlier during those weeks.

B.J.W

5,782 posts

214 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Bromagrove to Birmingham International - early morning - 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. 45 on a congested day.