To Drive To London Or Not
Discussion
nervouspassenger said:
One more recommendation, try the Google maps turn by turn navigation if you have a smart phone. I think it monitors the current traffic situation and reroutes you away from the jams. I know London pretty well but it has found me some nice clear routes recently.
I agree with this. It's very accurate on estimating journey times at the outset of the journey and has never done me wrong.jonnyp100 said:
Perhaps I'm worrying over nothing but I'd hate to find my car's been vandalised or worse just so I could avoid the pains of public transport.
You'd be very unlucky to have your car vandalized given you'd be there for 1 night however if that is a worry don't drive into London as it will (if you are like me anyway) play on your mind as to whether the car is safe. Another option depending on when you are going to be in London is the M4/A4 (or north circular to the A40 then the A3220 from there)then A3220 over Battersea bridge. Early morning it's one of the quicker routes I've used to get to South London.
A "friend" of mine also suggests if its sunny taking a walk around Clapham Common as there are often a fair amount of young women out jogging around the park in sturdy sports bras
. Obviously I couldn't possibly comment on the validity of these claims... honest 
ferrariF50lover said:
What does it say about the standard of new drivers (competent, according to the test) that even someone with 5 months experience is even considering not driving somewhere in the UK. I wouldn't relish Shanghai or Mumbai, but it certainly wouldn't cross my mind not to drive in these places and they're at least a million times harder than London.
Might just as well scrap the test and just give everyone automatic entitlement to drive on their 17th birthday.
Simon.
It says absolutely bugger all. What it says about this OP is they're sensible instead of overconfident - the latter being widely accepted as one of the biggest causes of accidents among new drivers.Might just as well scrap the test and just give everyone automatic entitlement to drive on their 17th birthday.
Simon.
I'd prefer the train (is it that much more expensive all up? sometimes it is, sometimes not, depending on timing), but as long as you're prepared with stuff like parking and navigation you'll be fine.
Uncl3s said:
You'd be very unlucky to have your car vandalized given you'd be there for 1 night however if that is a worry don't drive into London as it will (if you are like me anyway) play on your mind as to whether the car is safe.
Yeah that's exactly it. I know something probably won't happen but I'm just a worrier when it comes to my car.Uncl3s said:
A "friend" of mine also suggests if its sunny taking a walk around Clapham Common as there are often a fair amount of young women out jogging around the park in sturdy sports bras . Obviously I couldn't possibly comment on the validity of these claims... honest
If there's time I may have to investigate your "friends" claims.. Obviously I couldn't possibly comment on the validity of these claims... honest Edited by jonnyp100 on Sunday 31st August 12:33
paranoid airbag said:
I'd prefer the train (is it that much more expensive all up? sometimes it is, sometimes not, depending on timing), but as long as you're prepared with stuff like parking and navigation you'll be fine.
It's only £31 for me but my travelling companions are without a railcard so it'll be £40+ each. nervouspassenger said:
One more recommendation, try the Google maps turn by turn navigation if you have a smart phone. I think it monitors the current traffic situation and reroutes you away from the jams. I know London pretty well but it has found me some nice clear routes recently.
Yeah I have the app and I've used it before so I'll use that, thanks.Driving in London if you're inexperienced driving there and/or nervous would at least encourage me to look properly at my route.
Trust me, you do not want to be entirely reliant on satnav when negotiating London streets.
Use Google maps and plan your route in advance. When in London, LOOK OUT for cycles, lane prohibitions (particularly bus lanes appearing from nowhere), last minute gyratories, cabs, psychotic suicidal motorbike couriers and assume every single thing you do wrong will be caught on CCTV by evil local authorities looking for any excuse to send you a PCN.
Use Google maps and plan your route in advance.
Bear in mind- unlike most other places, where a right-right-right or left-left-left can correct a wrong turning, London doesn't let you get away with it so easily. Many roads are one way, or bollarded half way up to prevent rat runs. If in doubt, drive slowly and LOOK OUT for road signs directing you where to go.
Trust me, you do not want to be entirely reliant on satnav when negotiating London streets.
Use Google maps and plan your route in advance. When in London, LOOK OUT for cycles, lane prohibitions (particularly bus lanes appearing from nowhere), last minute gyratories, cabs, psychotic suicidal motorbike couriers and assume every single thing you do wrong will be caught on CCTV by evil local authorities looking for any excuse to send you a PCN.
Use Google maps and plan your route in advance.
Bear in mind- unlike most other places, where a right-right-right or left-left-left can correct a wrong turning, London doesn't let you get away with it so easily. Many roads are one way, or bollarded half way up to prevent rat runs. If in doubt, drive slowly and LOOK OUT for road signs directing you where to go.
jonnyp100 said:
Thanks for al the replies guys!
And thanks for the welcome 0A!
I have a satnav ready and will leave with plenty of time to spare.
I will definitely have a second look at alternative means of travel though. However, two or three of my friends will be travelling with me and they offered to pay for the fuel and parking, if I drove. So I think public transport will struggle to better that offer.
I take your point Simon and I'd like to think I'm a very good driver, I'd just heard a few too many horror stories from friends about London.
In regards to the parking, I was specifically looking at the private parking on parkopedia as it would be an overnight stay. Does anyone have any experience with parking on someones drive who's advertised it on the internet? Once I've input my stay time into the website (friday afternoon until saturday late afternoon) the private prices are around £12.00.
Perhaps I'm worrying over nothing but I'd hate to find my car's been vandalised or worse just so I could avoid the pains of public transport.
Where abouts in Clapham / Streatham are you heading as there's plenty of free weekend parking, there's also free parking from 1pm on Friday in central Clapham And thanks for the welcome 0A!
I have a satnav ready and will leave with plenty of time to spare.
I will definitely have a second look at alternative means of travel though. However, two or three of my friends will be travelling with me and they offered to pay for the fuel and parking, if I drove. So I think public transport will struggle to better that offer.
I take your point Simon and I'd like to think I'm a very good driver, I'd just heard a few too many horror stories from friends about London.
In regards to the parking, I was specifically looking at the private parking on parkopedia as it would be an overnight stay. Does anyone have any experience with parking on someones drive who's advertised it on the internet? Once I've input my stay time into the website (friday afternoon until saturday late afternoon) the private prices are around £12.00.
Perhaps I'm worrying over nothing but I'd hate to find my car's been vandalised or worse just so I could avoid the pains of public transport.
I'd drive it. I remember doing it first when I was at Uni up north. Weekends are OK and I guess in SW4 the only parking restrictions are likely to be Saturday AM. Treat it as an adventure. Driving through the City on Sunday is quite interesting as it's really quiet. As others have said you need to watch out for the traps such as bus lanes and no right turns.
23rdian said:
I've done both and prefer the train. Look for some deals on tickets. If you drive you will get there but the traffic will be hell, the parking will be extortion and don't forget about the congestion charge. Also unless you have an automatic your leg will cramp up like a b*****d
CC doesn't apply at weekends and even if it did the OP doesn't need to go into it (assuming he doesn't get lost). dacouch said:
Where abouts in Clapham / Streatham are you heading as there's plenty of free weekend parking, there's also free parking from 1pm on Friday in central Clapham
I think my friend said it was just north east of Clapham Commons but i'll try and get an exact postcode off him today.tenpenceshort said:
Trust me, you do not want to be entirely reliant on satnav when negotiating London streets.
Use Google maps and plan your route in advance. When in London, LOOK OUT for cycles, lane prohibitions (particularly bus lanes appearing from nowhere), last minute gyratories, cabs, psychotic suicidal motorbike couriers and assume every single thing you do wrong will be caught on CCTV by evil local authorities looking for any excuse to send you a PCN.
SatNav / Google Maps on my iphone cured all my nervous driving in London. I really don't think you need to worry much other than be aware of where to park. I don't do any planning on routes, I just type into Google Maps and go. Sometimes I miss a turn because the instructions weren't clear so I end up having a 5-10min detour, but nothing more than that.Use Google maps and plan your route in advance. When in London, LOOK OUT for cycles, lane prohibitions (particularly bus lanes appearing from nowhere), last minute gyratories, cabs, psychotic suicidal motorbike couriers and assume every single thing you do wrong will be caught on CCTV by evil local authorities looking for any excuse to send you a PCN.
All the points on London's annoyances are fair though, especially cyclists. I'm sure you do this anyway, but always check before making a left turn! Don't sit on a yellow box. Assume that if you park on a yellow for more than 5 mins you'll be caught (or worse, there'll be a camera catching you).
I wouldn't worry too much about people interfering with your car, either - the usual stuff applies - remove the face from your stereo, put away all satnav holders etc.
I was quite worried that someone would nick my M body kit or something the first few time but subsequently I have parked up overnight even in places like Camberwell and Peckham that have a rep for being a bit raw, and nobody has touched it. In fact my car has picked up more dents and dings parked outside my own house in a cul-de-sac in Exeter.
I was quite worried that someone would nick my M body kit or something the first few time but subsequently I have parked up overnight even in places like Camberwell and Peckham that have a rep for being a bit raw, and nobody has touched it. In fact my car has picked up more dents and dings parked outside my own house in a cul-de-sac in Exeter.
jellypig said:
Hybrid journey: Drive to Cockfosters Tube Station & park there.
(I assume its open for overnight parking - but as a family, thats what we do for "day out" in that Fancy London)
+1 I've done this many times. Parking at Cockfosters is cheap and plentiful. Simply jump on the Piccadilly line. (I assume its open for overnight parking - but as a family, thats what we do for "day out" in that Fancy London)
I used to Live in Richmond and my son now lives in Clapham. I wouldn't go through central London. I would take the M1 to the end then Inner London ringroad A406 west to Kew. Then Mortlake road/Upper Richmond Road A205 this then becomes the A3 straight to Clapham. Watch the speed and lookout for speed cameras. I do this journey in around 2 hours 30 mins at the weekend from Peterborough so probably similar time for you.
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