The A14 Commute!
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking for a bit of advice/insight in to the dreaded crawl between Huntingdon and Cambridge. I've been shortlisted for a job in Harlow, I live up near Raaaaaaaamsey, so really convenient obviously
If I get the position (no chickens being counted) then I'll have a 2 month trial period where I'll most likely do the commute daily, then if taken on permanently I'll probably get a crash pad to use during the week.
I had the interview on Thursday, had to be there for 10am, so left at 8am and was at Stanstead by 9am. The A14 was free flowing bar one slow to a halt for literally a few seconds - obviously not much 70mph movement though. The M11 was a breeze, surprisingly empty south of Cambridge. On the job I guess I'd be leaving home at 7.30ish and hitting the A14 around 7.45.
So I guess the question is, is there a noticeably worse time to be on that road and what are the best alternatives? For the latter there seem to be two realistic options; first is to hit the A1198 at Godmanchester down to the A428 at Papworth and across to the M11. Main problem I see there is getting caught up with the residents of Cambourne as they pour in to Cambridge. The second would be to go cross country north of the A14 and getting on at Bar Hill to battle through the last section of it on to the M11. I can see that being fairly slow though, especially the villages like Earith. Every other route seems to take you further off course and run through bottle necks like Royston.
Any gems from road weary commuters would be greatfully accepted!
Cheers,
Rob
Looking for a bit of advice/insight in to the dreaded crawl between Huntingdon and Cambridge. I've been shortlisted for a job in Harlow, I live up near Raaaaaaaamsey, so really convenient obviously
If I get the position (no chickens being counted) then I'll have a 2 month trial period where I'll most likely do the commute daily, then if taken on permanently I'll probably get a crash pad to use during the week.I had the interview on Thursday, had to be there for 10am, so left at 8am and was at Stanstead by 9am. The A14 was free flowing bar one slow to a halt for literally a few seconds - obviously not much 70mph movement though. The M11 was a breeze, surprisingly empty south of Cambridge. On the job I guess I'd be leaving home at 7.30ish and hitting the A14 around 7.45.
So I guess the question is, is there a noticeably worse time to be on that road and what are the best alternatives? For the latter there seem to be two realistic options; first is to hit the A1198 at Godmanchester down to the A428 at Papworth and across to the M11. Main problem I see there is getting caught up with the residents of Cambourne as they pour in to Cambridge. The second would be to go cross country north of the A14 and getting on at Bar Hill to battle through the last section of it on to the M11. I can see that being fairly slow though, especially the villages like Earith. Every other route seems to take you further off course and run through bottle necks like Royston.
Any gems from road weary commuters would be greatfully accepted!
Cheers,
Rob
I live in Newmarket and used to work in Harlow for 18 months...
Do not be lured into a false sense of security- the M 11 can be an absolute s*d... The 2 lane section through the hilly bit is frankly dangerous as lorries overtake each other causing massive hold-ups- other drivers over-braking and you can regularly find yourself dropping from 80- 30 at very short and unprecedented notice!
The commute was one of the reasons that I looked for a new job. I actually enjoy driving but felt that I could live without the stress of the M11 twice daily...
However, have you thought of taking the A10 south past royston etc...? Thisis actually a surprisingly good road and often quite clear- You could drop down from Huntingdon on the A 1198 and pick up the A10 somewhere near Royston and then cut across to Harlow on the 414..? Just a thought; but maybe worth a look?
Do not be lured into a false sense of security- the M 11 can be an absolute s*d... The 2 lane section through the hilly bit is frankly dangerous as lorries overtake each other causing massive hold-ups- other drivers over-braking and you can regularly find yourself dropping from 80- 30 at very short and unprecedented notice!
The commute was one of the reasons that I looked for a new job. I actually enjoy driving but felt that I could live without the stress of the M11 twice daily...
However, have you thought of taking the A10 south past royston etc...? Thisis actually a surprisingly good road and often quite clear- You could drop down from Huntingdon on the A 1198 and pick up the A10 somewhere near Royston and then cut across to Harlow on the 414..? Just a thought; but maybe worth a look?
Thanks chaps, I was beginning to wonder if I had to join the Stonecutters in order to get access to the magic 'avoid the A14 and M11' tunnel Both suggestions sound like they're worth investigating. I know the A1198 quite well so scooting down there and checking out a few routes off it is definitely worth trying a few times. Admittedly the last time I did Harlow to Hertford on the A414 I got done by a feckin' scamera grrr!
Anyway, not got much options now as I've got the blummin' job, starting on Thursday!
BTW Tol, any word on the ChipsAway situ yet?
Cheers,
Rob
Both suggestions sound like they're worth investigating. I know the A1198 quite well so scooting down there and checking out a few routes off it is definitely worth trying a few times. Admittedly the last time I did Harlow to Hertford on the A414 I got done by a feckin' scamera grrr!Anyway, not got much options now as I've got the blummin' job, starting on Thursday!
BTW Tol, any word on the ChipsAway situ yet?
Cheers,
Rob
Business as usual, Rob. At some point MyHome plc'c shareholding in ChipsAway International Ltd will be sold to new owner(s), very possibly the two gents who owned it before. Last time it changed hands, we didn't notice any difference in day to day operations at our level, so I doubt it'll rock our boat much when it happens...
In honesty, even the MyHome franchisees don't seem to have had any fallout or change in their work from their parent going into administration - their cleaners are down in my kitchen working their magic now!
Tol
ETA - congrats on the new job!
In honesty, even the MyHome franchisees don't seem to have had any fallout or change in their work from their parent going into administration - their cleaners are down in my kitchen working their magic now!
Tol
ETA - congrats on the new job!
Edited by Anatol on Monday 22 September 14:07
Charley Farley said:
You could drop down from Huntingdon on the A 1198 and pick up the A10 somewhere near Royston...
Unfortunately, picking up the A10 south of Royston leaves you very few options other than taking the A10 itself through Royston town centre. I agree that the A10 between Royston and the M25 is a good choice, though. Tol
Anatol said:
Keep on the A1198 down to Royston and then nip past Duxford on the A505 to the M11 southbound and avoid the A428 altogether? The A1198 is a surprisingly good road all the way now that it bypasses Papworth.
Tol
Agreed. Tol
The A428 way you have to go all the way past the M11 turn off virtually to the P&R. The worst thing is priority is given to the M11 slip so the queues are enormous.
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