Travel to Cornwall Sat 2nd July

[elanfan]

In previous years I've avoided travel on a Saturday as its just awful even resorting to going on the Friday instead and booking a Travelodge for a night nearby. Being GCSE year the kids have finished school early and we get to go 2 weeks before the main summer holidays. Once we hit Exeter how bad will the A30 for north Cornwall get? With my Mrs we will be lucky to be anywhere near Bristol by about 1pm. I've got a Sainsburys delivery due at 7pm which I'd rather not miss - I'll deserve a beer by then!

Anyone got any experience of how bad it will get?

[surveyor]

Baring accidents A30 at that point is usually ok - at least until you get the short single carriageway (although last time I went through I'm sure they were in the process of doing away with that).

M5 at Bristol may catch you.

[The Leaper]

The A30 from Exeter is predominantly dual carriageway except for about a couple of miles just before Bodmin, (when heading SW). This stretch is currently being upgraded and so there's heavy road works, due for completion next year I believe. This causes significant queues any time. Wife and I go to Falmouth twice a year out of season, March or April and November, and there have been queues there even at that time of year. Recommend avoiding if you can figure out a route round that area. In April this year the queue held us up for maybe 30-45 minutes.

R.

[Rosscow]

The Leaper said:

The A30 from Exeter is predominantly dual carriageway except for about a couple of miles just before Bodmin, (when heading SW). This stretch is currently being upgraded and so there's heavy road works, due for completion next year I believe. This causes significant queues any time. Wife and I go to Falmouth twice a year out of season, March or April and November, and there have been queues there even at that time of year. Recommend avoiding if you can figure out a route round that area. In April this year the queue held us up for maybe 30-45 minutes.

R.

We went to Newquay and back on the last bank holiday, and the A30 was fine. Only trouble we had was the usual A303 around Stonehenge and a bit of a hold up on the M25.

[elanfan]

Thanks for the info so far, I wouldn't mind a half hour or so delay but much more than that I could be struggling as thesedays I'm disabled. Will have a close look on the map and see if I can plan a slight detour and play it by ear on the day. It is near Newquay that we are going.

Edit: Reaquainted myself with the map and it looks like we avoid Bodmin anyway as I'd plan to go Launceston > Camelford > Wadebridge > Porth

Probably like most of us I'd rather be moving even if it takes a little out of the way or even a little longer. I hate being sat in a queue.

Any other forts really appreciated. Thanks again.

Edited by elanfan on Wednesday 22 June 10:28

[elanfan]

It's now less than a week away so anyone with any local knowledge with regard to any hold ups to be avoided (and how) would be very welcome. Thanks.

[driverrob]

If you're heading for Porth on the edge of Newquay down the A39 do NOT cut through St Columb Major - you'd regret it. Wait for the A3059 roundabout.
Enjoy Porth beach.

[sidicks]

elanfan said:

It's now less than a week away so anyone with any local knowledge with regard to any hold ups to be avoided (and how) would be very welcome. Thanks.

Best of luck - I still think your issue will be timing, rather than route!

I'm travelling 'home' on Monday night, returning on Tuesday night (not ideal!) but hope to avoid the worst of the traffic.

[elanfan]

driverrob said:

If you're heading for Porth on the edge of Newquay down the A39 do NOT cut through St Columb Major - you'd regret it. Wait for the A3059 roundabout.
Enjoy Porth beach.

F

Thanks for the tip, what is the reason? Is it just a Saturday/weekend problem as I'm guessing we will be travelling around the vicinity as we will be there a fortnight is it a no no all the time?

[wiggy001]

Here is My Thread asking a similar question a few weeks back.

[driverrob]

elanfan said:

F

Thanks for the tip, what is the reason? Is it just a Saturday/weekend problem as I'm guessing we will be travelling around the vicinity as we will be there a fortnight is it a no no all the time?

No and yes. It's just a PITA with its one-way system and too-narrow roads around the old part of the town/village.

[elanfan]

Just to round this thread off,. We set off late as i'd been unwell overnight so didn't leave until 18:50. Had a virtually traffic free journey of 194 miles in 3 hours including a couple of mile detour when the Sat Nav told me to take the 4th exit off a roundabout which sent me back on myself. Just knew it was wrong but hadn't brought a real live map with me so difficult to check. Got back to same roundabout and ignored the Sat Nav instruction took the first exit and all hunky dory.

Now ensconced in a very nice first floor apartment with balcony overlooking Porth beach. The sun is shining, it's getting warmer, I might just have to have an ice cream.

[driverrob]

I'm glad to hear it went smoothly.
A bit late now for an ice cream. Why not a walk into town, mooch around munching a pasty and then try one of the many pubs?

[sidicks]

Decent drive 'home' for me tonight - left at 5.45pm and was past Exeter by 9pm. Unfortunately I was diverted away from Launceston through Gunnislake, Tavistock and Liskeard so the lady 50 miles of my journey took closer to 90mins rather than the usual 50 or so.

Still it's good to be back in the Duchy, albeit briefly - I'll be retracing my steps tomorrow night after 9pm, when hopefully traffic will be vey light!

[driverrob]

sidicks said:

... Unfortunately I was diverted away from Launceston through Gunnislake, Tavistock and Liskeard ....

On the A390, so you passed within 200m of my house

[towser44]

My parents left for a caravan site near the Lost Gardens of Heligan on Saturday just gone. Left Cheshire at 7.45am and only arrived at 3.15pm. Apparently got stuck in traffic on the A30 near Bodmin. Are they putting in a dual carriageway or something?

[The Leaper]

See what I posted above.

R.

[sidicks]

driverrob said:

On the A390, so you passed within 200m of my house

I needed a toilet break at that point!

Heading back to Kent tonight from Bodmin direction - hopefully any diversions will be smaller, and travelling after 9pm there should be little traffic, although I was amazed how quiet it was on the road last night coming down between 6pm and 10.30pm.

Edited by sidicks on Tuesday 5th July 09:18

[spreadsheet monkey]

towser44 said:

My parents left for a caravan site near the Lost Gardens of Heligan on Saturday just gone. Left Cheshire at 7.45am and only arrived at 3.15pm. Apparently got stuck in traffic on the A30 near Bodmin. Are they putting in a dual carriageway or something?

Yes. Due to be completed in Spring 2017.

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/...

[sidicks]

sidicks said:

I needed a toilet break at that point!

Heading back to Kent tonight from Bodmin direction - hopefully any diversions will be smaller, and travelling after 9pm there should be little traffic, although I was amazed how quiet it was on the road last night coming down between 6pm and 10.30pm.

Nightmare journey home last night - the same diversions on the A30 combined with junction closures on the M3. Got home at 1.45am. Hope the A30 is sorted out before my next trip home!