London: Driving strategy to avoid the masses
Discussion
Would be interested in hearing other London PHer's views on when are the best travel times in our increasingly congested capital.
When I use my P&J to get around as a treat, it's usually around Central London (North and South of river), the West end and the City or straight out of the mayhem where there is more space using the main arteries.
Over the last two years I have perceived an increase in the quantity of traffic on the roads around 'normal' hours, a huge deterioration in the standard of driving, and an increase in the number of cars on the road that look like the owners couldn't care less about them and probably laid out no more than a tenner. This perception has led me to change my driving habits - when possible I try to avoid driving at 'normal' times to avoid all of the above.
So here it is - my guide to the best hours to get around the centre and beyond the M25 for those living in/near the centre:
Mon - Fri: 9pm-6am
Sat/Sun: 8pm-10:30am
Christmas Day (the best day - the place is deserted!)
And noticably less cars on the road between these times if it is cold/raining.
Whilst I'm feeling observant - have also noticed a huge increase in cars with Latvian / Polish / Italian number plates for obvious reasons. The best of these was a sparkling 997 Turbo with Latvian plates in the local Sainsbury's carpark... not inline with the medieval economy the media portrays!
When I use my P&J to get around as a treat, it's usually around Central London (North and South of river), the West end and the City or straight out of the mayhem where there is more space using the main arteries.
Over the last two years I have perceived an increase in the quantity of traffic on the roads around 'normal' hours, a huge deterioration in the standard of driving, and an increase in the number of cars on the road that look like the owners couldn't care less about them and probably laid out no more than a tenner. This perception has led me to change my driving habits - when possible I try to avoid driving at 'normal' times to avoid all of the above.
So here it is - my guide to the best hours to get around the centre and beyond the M25 for those living in/near the centre:
Mon - Fri: 9pm-6am
Sat/Sun: 8pm-10:30am
Christmas Day (the best day - the place is deserted!)
And noticably less cars on the road between these times if it is cold/raining.
Whilst I'm feeling observant - have also noticed a huge increase in cars with Latvian / Polish / Italian number plates for obvious reasons. The best of these was a sparkling 997 Turbo with Latvian plates in the local Sainsbury's carpark... not inline with the medieval economy the media portrays!
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