M25/M26 Kent, rush hour....how bad?
Discussion
I have to travel from M20 J4 to Bracknell tomorrow morning, slap in the middle of rush hour. I've done the journey before but not for a good long while now, and it was never good, to say the least. However, with the widening works in the Clacket section, I know it's a lot worse and I regularly hear of the M26 being backed up all the way back to the M20 (8 miles!).
So, for anyone travelling that way regularly, just how bad is it at the moment? Is it worth detouring, ie the A25, or is that equally horrendous because everyone else is doing the same thing?
I have contemplated taking a bike but I won't ride the M25 without full kit on, and that's not an appealing thought in the current temperatures!
So, for anyone travelling that way regularly, just how bad is it at the moment? Is it worth detouring, ie the A25, or is that equally horrendous because everyone else is doing the same thing?
I have contemplated taking a bike but I won't ride the M25 without full kit on, and that's not an appealing thought in the current temperatures!
MarshPhantom said:
If you want to avoid the M26, stay on the M20 and get on the M25 at Swanley. The queue into the roadworks isn't too bad from this direction. I've no idea why but they're seem to be accidents most days in this set of roadworks.
No doubt because of the average speed cameras. Good advice though about the M20
It was particularly bad this morning and A25 was stacked as a result with big queues along A21 just to come off.
I'm fortunate to be going the other way and see the queues rather than being in them around 7.20. Normal days, traffic is moving slowly from M25 towards feed from M26 and A21 but there's not much backing up the M25 so guess it's not too bad. The widening couldn't come sooner mind as it's a horrible stretch even at the best of times.
If it were me I would seriously contemplate train or if you fancy a challenge, don't mind travelling a bit further just to keep moving and want to confuse the hell out of sat-nav I normally plot a route round the back roads that gets me to Lingfield and it's plain sailing from there.
I'm fortunate to be going the other way and see the queues rather than being in them around 7.20. Normal days, traffic is moving slowly from M25 towards feed from M26 and A21 but there's not much backing up the M25 so guess it's not too bad. The widening couldn't come sooner mind as it's a horrible stretch even at the best of times.
If it were me I would seriously contemplate train or if you fancy a challenge, don't mind travelling a bit further just to keep moving and want to confuse the hell out of sat-nav I normally plot a route round the back roads that gets me to Lingfield and it's plain sailing from there.
bqf said:
I live next to J4 of the M20,
So do I 
ME19 5Q*bqf said:
and when I'm going West, it's a freaking nightmare on the M26. I'd set off mega early (6am-ish) and have a coffee and a bacon roll when you get to Bracknell!
Is it actually significantly better that early?MarshPhantom said:
If you want to avoid the M26, stay on the M20 and get on the M25 at Swanley. The queue into the roadworks isn't too bad from this direction.
Hmm, that's a thought, thanks.On my commute I join M20 at J4 at around 8am, and then take the M26 and M25, followed by the M23 down to Gatwick.
My analysis based on the last few months (with the roadworks in place) is :
70% of the time it takes around 45 mins to 1 hour, normal traffic flow.
20% of the time it takes 1hr - 1hr 15mins, due to sheer weight of traffic.
7% of the time it takes up to 2hrs, usually when there's been a minor accident in the roadworks blocking 1 lane.
3% of the time it takes 2hrs+. usually when there's been a major accident involving 2+ lanes blocked.
So, it's pretty much pot luck 10% of the time, otherwise fairly reasonable.
My analysis based on the last few months (with the roadworks in place) is :
70% of the time it takes around 45 mins to 1 hour, normal traffic flow.
20% of the time it takes 1hr - 1hr 15mins, due to sheer weight of traffic.
7% of the time it takes up to 2hrs, usually when there's been a minor accident in the roadworks blocking 1 lane.
3% of the time it takes 2hrs+. usually when there's been a major accident involving 2+ lanes blocked.
So, it's pretty much pot luck 10% of the time, otherwise fairly reasonable.
Apparently someone threw a load of beer onto the M26 today, I miss all of the excitement 
I do that corner of the M25 most mornings and before 7am you will be OK, after that it is best to listen to the traffic reports. Rather than coming up the M26 when it is really busy I find that it takes half of the time if you come up the M20 then go down the outside lane of the M25 to the A25 turnoff and do a U turn to come back on just before Clackets.
I do that corner of the M25 most mornings and before 7am you will be OK, after that it is best to listen to the traffic reports. Rather than coming up the M26 when it is really busy I find that it takes half of the time if you come up the M20 then go down the outside lane of the M25 to the A25 turnoff and do a U turn to come back on just before Clackets.
s p a c e m a n said:
Rather than coming up the M26 when it is really busy I find that it takes half of the time if you come up the M20 then go down the outside lane of the M25 to the A25 turnoff and do a U turn to come back on just before Clackets.
I like your thinking! Given that driving is my only realistic option tomorrow I think I'll try this.
Does it not say on the board just before the m26/m25 junction that the road works are there till autumn 2014.
Come off at Orpington junction and head towards biggin hill then head for salt box hill on to jewel hill then into new addington then selsdon then caterham look it up on a map. It will be quicker than sitting on the m25. I used to work opposite the new sainsburys in selsdon. This way is Definatley quicker.
Come off at Orpington junction and head towards biggin hill then head for salt box hill on to jewel hill then into new addington then selsdon then caterham look it up on a map. It will be quicker than sitting on the m25. I used to work opposite the new sainsburys in selsdon. This way is Definatley quicker.
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