Anyone passing through Dover.....Traffic updates.
Discussion
Hi all,
As a Dover resident, I thought I'd just let you all know the road situation down here. The council in their wisdom decided to resurface the main road leading to Dover port from the A20 through the town to the port a few months ago. As it's ongoing, it can get snarled up especially going outward on Thursdays and Fridays as this is when the foreign HGV's make a run for the continent too. They've nearly finished it, but there are sometimes diversions in place after 8pm.
I'll post updates as and when things change or get busy.
I'm in work tomorrow and Wednesday at the port, so if some bloke in a blue uniform says hello, please don't be scared, it's me. I can be seen driving a green '97 5 series, a silver '07 Impreza or a red '59 Chevy pick up. Give a bib and a wave if you see me. All the cars have a PH little sticker on the rear apart from the pick up.
Have a good trip and I'll try to keep you posted with traffic updates.
Dover Nige.
PS: When you come home PLEASE be careful on the first roundabout outside the port. The truck drivers WILL take you out and put you in the armco. I've seen it happen too many times (around once a week) and would hate for a PH'er to be on the receiving end.
ENJOY.
As a Dover resident, I thought I'd just let you all know the road situation down here. The council in their wisdom decided to resurface the main road leading to Dover port from the A20 through the town to the port a few months ago. As it's ongoing, it can get snarled up especially going outward on Thursdays and Fridays as this is when the foreign HGV's make a run for the continent too. They've nearly finished it, but there are sometimes diversions in place after 8pm.
I'll post updates as and when things change or get busy.
I'm in work tomorrow and Wednesday at the port, so if some bloke in a blue uniform says hello, please don't be scared, it's me. I can be seen driving a green '97 5 series, a silver '07 Impreza or a red '59 Chevy pick up. Give a bib and a wave if you see me. All the cars have a PH little sticker on the rear apart from the pick up.
Have a good trip and I'll try to keep you posted with traffic updates.
Dover Nige.
PS: When you come home PLEASE be careful on the first roundabout outside the port. The truck drivers WILL take you out and put you in the armco. I've seen it happen too many times (around once a week) and would hate for a PH'er to be on the receiving end.
ENJOY.
Ok, here's a bit of an update:
Did a recce this evening at around 1900hrs and traffic on the A20 coming in to the port was snarled up pretty badly tailing out of Dover. The geniuses (genii?) doing the road works have coned a dual carriageway into a single carriageway and it looks like it's going to stay that way. They also look to be laying down the anti-skid gravel on the A20 both ways, so if you don't want fresh grit under your car, I suggest the M2/A2.
Did a further recce at 2330hrs and traffic is moving ok, say around 15-20mph but certainly not as free flowing as it should be. The route down from the A2 / M2 was completely clear. If at all possible, I would use the M2 / A2 route into Dover port.
WORD OF CAUTION: The A2 after you pass the "Whitfield"/McDonalds roundabout is frequently used by the Scamera crews. There is a bridge over the A2 after this roundabout which has been used and also the lay-bys on this stretch. It is not uncommon to see them further north up the A2 either.
I would also be wary about the bizarre 30mph speed limit shortly after the next roundabout (Duke of York/total petrol station) as you head downhill into the port. They [i]may[i/] decide to spend a little time there knowing it's Le Mans weekend, unlikely, but possible as you're easy prey going down there.
Next traffic update at 0700hrs-0800hrs.
Regards,
Dover Nige.
Did a recce this evening at around 1900hrs and traffic on the A20 coming in to the port was snarled up pretty badly tailing out of Dover. The geniuses (genii?) doing the road works have coned a dual carriageway into a single carriageway and it looks like it's going to stay that way. They also look to be laying down the anti-skid gravel on the A20 both ways, so if you don't want fresh grit under your car, I suggest the M2/A2.
Did a further recce at 2330hrs and traffic is moving ok, say around 15-20mph but certainly not as free flowing as it should be. The route down from the A2 / M2 was completely clear. If at all possible, I would use the M2 / A2 route into Dover port.
WORD OF CAUTION: The A2 after you pass the "Whitfield"/McDonalds roundabout is frequently used by the Scamera crews. There is a bridge over the A2 after this roundabout which has been used and also the lay-bys on this stretch. It is not uncommon to see them further north up the A2 either.
I would also be wary about the bizarre 30mph speed limit shortly after the next roundabout (Duke of York/total petrol station) as you head downhill into the port. They [i]may[i/] decide to spend a little time there knowing it's Le Mans weekend, unlikely, but possible as you're easy prey going down there.
Next traffic update at 0700hrs-0800hrs.
Regards,
Dover Nige.
Mad Mike said:
Dover Nige
Great info THANKS
How much time aalowance will I need to make coming in on Wednesday 6am, ready for 7am crossing??
Thanks
Mike
Mike,Great info THANKS
How much time aalowance will I need to make coming in on Wednesday 6am, ready for 7am crossing??
Thanks
Mike
Edited by Mad Mike on Monday 9th June 19:42
You ought be ok at that time of day, but the monkeys have coned it all into a single carriageway at the moment.
I'm travelling in to work tomorrow (and will be on Wednesday) to be at the docks for 0700hrs, so will be able to let you know what it'll be like at around that time in tomorrow mornings briefing.
Cheers,
Nige.
*Kosta* said:
Nice post mate.
Will i be ok for getting to Dover for a 2am crossing on wednesday? lol
Kosta,Will i be ok for getting to Dover for a 2am crossing on wednesday? lol
You should be ok at around that time, most sane people are tucked up in bed at that time except for us insomniac shiftworkers and Le Mans runners...!! The trucks seem to ease up around those sort of hours and fire up again at around 0500hrs.
Cheers,
Nige.
GaryHetherington said:
i was wondering what was going on there! I came out of Dover towards Folkestone on the A20 today at 2 in the afternoon and the queue was over a mile long on the other side of the road. I'm going to go M2/A2 instead! Even at 5AM it's not worth the risk!
Wise words.Dover Nige said:
*Kosta* said:
Nice post mate.
Will i be ok for getting to Dover for a 2am crossing on wednesday? lol
Kosta,Will i be ok for getting to Dover for a 2am crossing on wednesday? lol
You should be ok at around that time, most sane people are tucked up in bed at that time except for us insomniac shiftworkers and Le Mans runners...!! The trucks seem to ease up around those sort of hours and fire up again at around 0500hrs.
Cheers,
Nige.
Just been in a meeting, but out now and had a little check.
At around 0900hrs, the A2 was a little busy and slow moving, but no more than 5-10mins delay if that. The A20 was still slow.
At the moment, the A20 approach is moving reasonably well, with traffic ok but still heavy.
The main hold up will be as you get within a few miles of Dover, so not too bad. Slowest going is further into Dover approaching the Eastern Docks using the M20/A20. M2/A2 approach is ok. Approach to the Western Docks (Speedferries) is not too bad off the A20 and fine off the A2.
For those coming in on the M20/A20, enjoy the acoustically perfect tunnel just after Folkestone. It will put you in a happy mood for the slow traffic in town.
Nige
At around 0900hrs, the A2 was a little busy and slow moving, but no more than 5-10mins delay if that. The A20 was still slow.
At the moment, the A20 approach is moving reasonably well, with traffic ok but still heavy.
The main hold up will be as you get within a few miles of Dover, so not too bad. Slowest going is further into Dover approaching the Eastern Docks using the M20/A20. M2/A2 approach is ok. Approach to the Western Docks (Speedferries) is not too bad off the A20 and fine off the A2.
For those coming in on the M20/A20, enjoy the acoustically perfect tunnel just after Folkestone. It will put you in a happy mood for the slow traffic in town.
Nige
DoverNige, I am trying to advise others on this problem as we are getting the 10.45 speed ferry tomorrow. The point has been made that this issue might not affect us if we are going to the hoverport to get the speedferry. Are you able to confirm that your advice to use the M2 is still valid if we are going to the speed ferry? Cheers matey! 
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