Having to drive in Central London- how scary is it??
Discussion
I have never in my 20 years of driving had to drive into Central London- just always thought it was a generally bad idea and easier to get on the tube.
However I'm having surgery done over 2 days and have been told I should avoid getting on public transport- the fact that Covid is kind of still present isn't really much help either.
I really don't want to do this but it looks like I'll have to. I'm used to city driving (currently living in Leeds) and I've driven all over- I frequently drive to France where I originally come from.
What puts me off more than anything is the ease of getting a ticket for things you wouldn't elsewhere. Clear example is being in a box junction. It happens to all of us, especially when stressed- which could very be likely in unfamiliar territory in London.
Am I just looking into things too much?
However I'm having surgery done over 2 days and have been told I should avoid getting on public transport- the fact that Covid is kind of still present isn't really much help either.
I really don't want to do this but it looks like I'll have to. I'm used to city driving (currently living in Leeds) and I've driven all over- I frequently drive to France where I originally come from.
What puts me off more than anything is the ease of getting a ticket for things you wouldn't elsewhere. Clear example is being in a box junction. It happens to all of us, especially when stressed- which could very be likely in unfamiliar territory in London.
Am I just looking into things too much?
Edited by Leicesterdave on Tuesday 16th June 07:28
Key is don’t rush.
Cab drivers buses trucks and plenty of cars will know exactly which lane etc to be in you will likely not.
Don’t worry don’t stress - I’d also recommend that you look at the route on the map before you go so your familiar with the one way systems they may have in place.
Oh cyclists they are like swarms or can be - again in those situations simply drove slowly
Cab drivers buses trucks and plenty of cars will know exactly which lane etc to be in you will likely not.
Don’t worry don’t stress - I’d also recommend that you look at the route on the map before you go so your familiar with the one way systems they may have in place.
Oh cyclists they are like swarms or can be - again in those situations simply drove slowly
I dont think its too bad driving there, intact when its empty its quite enjoyable. But then when is london empty 
The ticket thing is a problem, we occasionally have to take our daughter to great ormand street and i do usually pick a ticket up.
Its usually for ones where its something like no right turn, the sat nav is telling me to turn right, i turn right, other cars seem to be doing it. I then receive a penalty a few weeks after
I am sure they keep changing them tbh.
The ticket thing is a problem, we occasionally have to take our daughter to great ormand street and i do usually pick a ticket up.
Its usually for ones where its something like no right turn, the sat nav is telling me to turn right, i turn right, other cars seem to be doing it. I then receive a penalty a few weeks after
I am sure they keep changing them tbh.
Welshbeef said:
Cab drivers buses trucks and plenty of cars will know exactly which lane etc to be in you will likely not.
This. A gazillion times!I drove in and out of London, from deepest Surrey to the centre, every day for about 15 years... knowing what lane to be in (and when) was pretty critical. If you're in the wrong lane, you have little chance of getting into the right one.
However, how bad is London at the moment? I haven't been into London since February and I suspect it's not nose to tail traffic. But I could be totally wrong.
You can register you car for the congestion charge can't you? Making it an automatic thing.
Good luck Op, think it depends exactly where you are driving and at what time of day, imagine it's starting to get busier now with people being advised not to use public transport.
I've not driven through the centre before and I think I'd be a bit apprehensive too! Closest I've got is Kensington area but that was only ever on a weekend.
Key for me is a decent sat Nav that gives some advance notice/idea of whether you're likely to need to be in a particular lane etc. But as others have said, the road signs are king.
Hope it goes well
I've not driven through the centre before and I think I'd be a bit apprehensive too! Closest I've got is Kensington area but that was only ever on a weekend.
Key for me is a decent sat Nav that gives some advance notice/idea of whether you're likely to need to be in a particular lane etc. But as others have said, the road signs are king.
Hope it goes well
I always found it 3asy to drive in central London, because people just tended to let you get on with it and not fight for their position in a queue they way they do elsewhere.
The best bit of advice I ever got.was of ore everyone behind you, that's their problem, just watch what's in front, and as long as you aren't being stupid and driving like a loon that always seemed to work
The best bit of advice I ever got.was of ore everyone behind you, that's their problem, just watch what's in front, and as long as you aren't being stupid and driving like a loon that always seemed to work
sociopath said:
I always found it 3asy to drive in central London, because people just tended to let you get on with it and not fight for their position in a queue they way they do elsewhere.
The best bit of advice I ever got.was of ore everyone behind you, that's their problem, just watch what's in front, and as long as you aren't being stupid and driving like a loon that always seemed to work
In the 70s the advice was keep your foot down and watch your front. (the 1st bit is no longer applicable).The best bit of advice I ever got.was of ore everyone behind you, that's their problem, just watch what's in front, and as long as you aren't being stupid and driving like a loon that always seemed to work
For advanced practitioners, taxis will (eventually) give way, buses won't.
If you dither you will get honked, be a bit more assertive than maybe you would normally, they expect that.
Easier said than done though when you have not got a clue where you are.
Somebody said study the route before you go in. I can say with a fair degree of confidence that even if you do that it will all go out of the window at the first wrong turn which will likely be pretty soon into your journey.
Maps showing roads and directions look a lot different when you are surrounded by tall buildings and traffic, so sat nav will be your real friend, as long as you keep an eye on not being directed to turn when you are not allowed to.
However some sat navs have been known to lose signal between tall buildings just as you need to know where to go.
A big issue as mentioned is lane knowledge, you will be in the left hand lane expecting to go straight on and will find it is right turn only. You will be in the right hand lane expecting to go straight on and it will be right turn only.
The other problem will be sticking to the 20 mph limits when you have no clue where the cameras are. Regulars will be tailgating wanting you to go faster and slowing to legal limits for the cameras only.
Be careful of red lights, they are only optional for many on two legs and two wheels in particular.
Make sure you don't stray into the congestion zone if you have not paid and don't intend to enter. You probably won't realise you have done it due to stress until the brown envelope arrives.
Be careful of Uber drivers, they often have not a clue, be careful of Black cab drivers, they usually have too much of a clue.
Be careful of cyclists, they are everywhere. they will swarm you like bees at lights if they have stopped.
Be careful of pedestrians, they are everywhere, be careful of speed cameras and congestion charge cameras, they are everywhere.
Make sure you take a credit card if you intend to pay for parking, you will need it.
Piece of cake really and you will feel elated when you have done it, although that will probably be the effect of breathing in the pure London air.
You will also feel anxiety, wondering if you missed that 20 mph speed camera, or prohibited turn camera or the box junction camera.
Anyway just relax and enjoy the experience
Easier said than done though when you have not got a clue where you are.
Somebody said study the route before you go in. I can say with a fair degree of confidence that even if you do that it will all go out of the window at the first wrong turn which will likely be pretty soon into your journey.
Maps showing roads and directions look a lot different when you are surrounded by tall buildings and traffic, so sat nav will be your real friend, as long as you keep an eye on not being directed to turn when you are not allowed to.
However some sat navs have been known to lose signal between tall buildings just as you need to know where to go.
A big issue as mentioned is lane knowledge, you will be in the left hand lane expecting to go straight on and will find it is right turn only. You will be in the right hand lane expecting to go straight on and it will be right turn only.
The other problem will be sticking to the 20 mph limits when you have no clue where the cameras are. Regulars will be tailgating wanting you to go faster and slowing to legal limits for the cameras only.
Be careful of red lights, they are only optional for many on two legs and two wheels in particular.
Make sure you don't stray into the congestion zone if you have not paid and don't intend to enter. You probably won't realise you have done it due to stress until the brown envelope arrives.
Be careful of Uber drivers, they often have not a clue, be careful of Black cab drivers, they usually have too much of a clue.
Be careful of cyclists, they are everywhere. they will swarm you like bees at lights if they have stopped.
Be careful of pedestrians, they are everywhere, be careful of speed cameras and congestion charge cameras, they are everywhere.
Make sure you take a credit card if you intend to pay for parking, you will need it.
Piece of cake really and you will feel elated when you have done it, although that will probably be the effect of breathing in the pure London air.
You will also feel anxiety, wondering if you missed that 20 mph speed camera, or prohibited turn camera or the box junction camera.
Anyway just relax and enjoy the experience
Welshbeef said:
Key is don’t rush.
Cab drivers buses trucks and plenty of cars will know exactly which lane etc to be in you will likely not.
Don’t worry don’t stress - I’d also recommend that you look at the route on the map before you go so your familiar with the one way systems they may have in place.
Oh cyclists they are like swarms or can be - again in those situations simply drove slowly
+1Cab drivers buses trucks and plenty of cars will know exactly which lane etc to be in you will likely not.
Don’t worry don’t stress - I’d also recommend that you look at the route on the map before you go so your familiar with the one way systems they may have in place.
Oh cyclists they are like swarms or can be - again in those situations simply drove slowly
Take your time, use a sat nav, ideally take a passenger as a second pair of eyes. I would be more concerned about parking rather than driving.
Mostly London is not really any different to driving in other busy cities, but there are certain junctions which can be challenging, especially if you don't know which lane you should be in and end up feeling trapped by taxis, buses, white vans etc!
The main thing is to remain calm. Use a good satnav which will give you an idea of lanes at junctions etc, but if you end up in a position where you can't take the turn you want, don't panic, just take the exit you can get to and your satnav will find you another way.
Most people are in a rush, so allow plenty of time, then if you have to take a detour here or there it really doesn't matter.
The main thing is to remain calm. Use a good satnav which will give you an idea of lanes at junctions etc, but if you end up in a position where you can't take the turn you want, don't panic, just take the exit you can get to and your satnav will find you another way.
Most people are in a rush, so allow plenty of time, then if you have to take a detour here or there it really doesn't matter.
spikeyhead said:
Where is it you're going to, knowing that then people will be able to advise the best route and sensible parking options that only local knowledge can bring.
This - 100%Post on here your approximate starting point, and your destination, then people can recommend the route you should take. As an example, if you need to be somewhere around Shepherds Bush, and you're coming from the west, then it will be much easier to come in on the A40/M40 rather than the M4, so you do all of the hard bits way before you hit London. Likewise, if you're coming from the east, then it may well be easier to take the North Circular to Hanger Lane (NEVER under ANY circumstances use the South Circular - it doesn't really exist)
The biggest problem with driving in London these days is finding somewhere to park, so you're best of figuring that out before you leave home. You will need to pay, and it will be expensive.
As for getting tickets, I've never had one for driving in London. Box junctions are easy to avoid. Follow your satnav (preferably Waze), but if it's telling you to do something that looks illegal, then don't do it.
Leicesterdave said:
Haha thanks for your help people- does sound a bit of a nightmare to be honest!
I'm coming from Leeds- so M1 all the way down and need to get to Clipstone Street where I'd park at the Citi Park MSCP- that would be pre booked in advance as well as Congestion charge.
OK, on that route, you need to get on the M1 from the Leeds ring road heading south. I'll let other posters take over from here.I'm coming from Leeds- so M1 all the way down and need to get to Clipstone Street where I'd park at the Citi Park MSCP- that would be pre booked in advance as well as Congestion charge.
Leicesterdave said:
Haha thanks for your help people- does sound a bit of a nightmare to be honest!
I'm coming from Leeds- so M1 all the way down and need to get to Clipstone Street where I'd park at the Citi Park MSCP- that would be pre booked in advance as well as Congestion charge.
That is much easier than you think.I'm coming from Leeds- so M1 all the way down and need to get to Clipstone Street where I'd park at the Citi Park MSCP- that would be pre booked in advance as well as Congestion charge.
Stay on the M1 all the way to the bottom, don't come off for the A1.
At the bottom of the M1, keep mostly left, but don't go back north on the A5, then take the A41 southbound.
On the A41, stay out of the bus lanes, and keep heading south.
Once you pass the Regents Park Mosque on your left you're nearly at the Marylebone Road, bear slightly right onto Gloucester Place and there's a car park at the junction of Gloucester Place and the Marylebone Road. This is 5, possibly 10 minutes walk from where you need to be. It's outside the congestion zone and in theory you're not even in Central London.
If you actually need to park really close to your destination, then just turn left when you get to the Marylebone Road, again, stay out of bus lanes, then turn south at Great Portland Street. You actually do this by turning left and then doing a loop. I can't find the specific car park you mention, but it's down there somewhere. As soon as you go south of the Marylebone Road then you're in the CC zone. Stay on it, or north of it and you're not in it.
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