Essex to Birmingham - any roads to leave the motorway for?
Essex to Birmingham - any roads to leave the motorway for?
Author
Discussion

mackay45

Original Poster:

832 posts

192 months

Thursday 27th October 2011
quotequote all
As per the title really. Going to the Classic Car Show in a couple of weeks and wouldn't mind taking a bit longer getting there (can leave early!) if there were some fun diversions I could take. Any recommendations?

Route is M25, M1 then M6 currently.

mackay45

Original Poster:

832 posts

192 months

Thursday 27th October 2011
quotequote all
Ok I have found the A4146 from Hemel Hempstead to Leighton Buzzard, appears to be recommended and only increases journey time from 2hrs34mins to 3hrs4mins.

Could do with another one in the Rugby/Coventry area, think I will be bored of the motorway again by then!

Red Devil

13,409 posts

229 months

Thursday 27th October 2011
quotequote all
mackay45 said:
Ok I have found the A4146 from Hemel Hempstead to Leighton Buzzard, appears to be recommended and only increases journey time from 2hrs34mins to 3hrs4mins.
It bypasses Leighton Buzzard and goes to Milton Keynes. I use it once a month in both directions. It's D/C from the junction with A418 (to Aylesbury) as far as the outskirts of Bletchley (the roundabout at the end of the Stoke Hammond bypass). Superb road if traffic free but the southernmost section can be a mare if you come across a couple of '43mph everywhere' types as overtaking opportunities are very limited. Beware the Gatsos either side of Water End to the north of Hemel. Both are in 40mph limits. The first of them being ridiculously low and very easy to stray over.

When you get to the roundabout south of MK you'll meet the A5. Stay on it all the way through Towcester to Weedon. Left at the lights onto the A45 and stay on that past Daventry to the junction with the M45 east of Dunchurch.

mackay45 said:
Could do with another one in the Rugby/Coventry area, think I will be bored of the motorway again by then!
You'll be on a motorway for all of 2 miles as the M45 ends at the Thurlaston roundabout where it reverts to the A45 again.

You then have a choice. Stay on the A45 all the way past Coventry to the M42 at the NEC or take the A46 Coventry Eastern Bypass to the M6/M69 junction.

Have fun.

thunderbelmont

2,982 posts

245 months

Friday 28th October 2011
quotequote all
No, you're route is wrong...

Listen careful, and listen tight!

Essex (where ?) - A120 Stanstead to Puckeridge, A10 North to Buntingford, A507 to Baldock, A507 to M1 J13. M1 north to J17, M45, A45 - follow to NEC.

Just mind the revenue collection boxes, but you have a mix of some superb driving tarmac, plus a bit "keep your eyes open" unattended motorway (M45).


Red Devil

13,409 posts

229 months

Sunday 30th October 2011
quotequote all
Yes a good alternative but, as said, it depends on where the start point is.
The OP specifically mentioned the A4146 so I developed it from there.
I doubt he would have mentioned it if he is beginning his journey in Saffron Walden!

Who me ?

7,455 posts

233 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
thunderbelmont said:
No, you're route is wrong...

Listen careful, and listen tight!

Essex (where ?) - A120 Stanstead to Puckeridge, A10 North to Buntingford, A507 to Baldock, A507 to M1 J13. M1 north to J17, M45, A45 - follow to NEC.

Just mind the revenue collection boxes, but you have a mix of some superb driving tarmac, plus a bit "keep your eyes open" unattended motorway (M45).
AND -on collection boxes --don't forget the A45 HAS A FEW -some used to hide behind road signs -don't know about now .




Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

227 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
thunderbelmont said:
No, you're route is wrong...

Listen careful, and listen tight!

Essex (where ?) - A120 Stanstead to Puckeridge, A10 North to Buntingford, A507 to Baldock, A507 to M1 J13. M1 north to J17, M45, A45 - follow to NEC.

Just mind the revenue collection boxes, but you have a mix of some superb driving tarmac, plus a bit "keep your eyes open" unattended motorway (M45).
This. Very much this (apart from the incorrect use of you're)hehe

mackay45

Original Poster:

832 posts

192 months

Saturday 5th November 2011
quotequote all
Thanks all

Journey starts from Chelmsford so I will go for the following:

thunderbelmont said:
No, you're route is wrong...

Listen careful, and listen tight!

Essex (where ?) - A120 Stanstead to Puckeridge, A10 North to Buntingford, A507 to Baldock, A507 to M1 J13. M1 north to J17, M45, A45 - follow to NEC.

Just mind the revenue collection boxes, but you have a mix of some superb driving tarmac, plus a bit "keep your eyes open" unattended motorway (M45).
Will let you know how I get on, fingers crossed for a nice clear morning with dry roads! smile