Best route to Northampton from SE London in rush hour?

[NiceCupOfTea]

Hi folks,

Have to make this journey in a couple of days, to get to N/hampton for early evening. Currently thinking Blackwall Tunnel, M11, M25, M1, but I have heard bad reports of road works on the M1 recently, and I will be hitting it at 5.30-6pm or so... Would I be better off taking the A1(M) and cutting across?

[heppers75]

Personally I would think it depends on which side of N/Hampton you are going. If you are Corby side then I would say A1, A14 if you are central City Centre or more towards the Crick side then I would say M1.

[williamp]

Thats a horrible journey whatever I'm afriad. I would also head through the blackwall tunnel, and keep your options open regarding M11/A14, M11, M25 then A1 or M11, M25 then M1.

Listen to traffic, familarise yourselves with the M25 junction numbers, and divert accordingly.

[Alfa numeric]

When I lived in Canning Town the fastest way to my parents place in N'ton was often M11/A14/A45. They've extended the SPECS since then but I'd guess it's still faster then the M1 as it's less congested.

[Monkeylegend]

M1 is probably ok up to J10 but there are roadworks 11 -15? so best avoid them.

I would go M11-A14.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Headed for central N/hampton. I am inclined to agree re the M11/A14, it usually seems fairly clear and hopefully I will hit the M11 that bit earlier so the traffic will be better...

Any tips for parking in central Northampton on a weekday evening? Have been told there are quite a few sidestreets that are available.

[Alfa numeric]

You'll probably be ok on many of the sidestreets but IIRC it's only 50p to park in one of the multi storey car parks in the evening. Northampton may be shy of a few things but parking isn't one of them.

[hunt_the_fox]

I commuted from Greenwich to Northampton for 3 months every day. The quickest route is the train. No contest. But if you have to drive then use the M1, even with the roadworks it is quicker.

[Acehood]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Headed for central N/hampton. I am inclined to agree re the M11/A14, it usually seems fairly clear and hopefully I will hit the M11 that bit earlier so the traffic will be better...

Any tips for parking in central Northampton on a weekday evening? Have been told there are quite a few sidestreets that are available.

Depending where exactly you're going, you can park on Clare Street for free and it's approx 5-10min walk into town. Not the nicest area but I used to leave my MK2 Golf GTI with BBS Splits there all the time and it never got touched. Also try Artizan Road which is a bit nearer town.

If it's after 6pm and you're leaving before 8am then just park anywhere with single yellows or look for a space on Bridge Street/Mercers Row. Pay & display until 6pm. I tend to park behind Marks & Spencer, just before the Grovesnor Centre car park entrance. Single yellows and nobody else thinks to park there. You are literally in the centre too.

As for actual car parks you've got the Grovesnor Centre (expensive), Mayorhold (80p/hour ish or £7 all day), St Johns (same prices as mayorhold) and Sol Central, (about 50p/hour, maybe slightly more?)

[Podie]

The crunch point is the M11 becomes the A14.. http://maps.google.com/?ll=52.233267,0.070682&...

It’s often worth coming off (as if you were going to head east) but keep in the right hand lane and re-join, rather than sitting in the queue.

Another tactic is to take the small turning (The Ave), turn right down Dry Drayton Road, head through Drayton, then come back onto the A14.

I used to do this run twice a week for four years... the advantage of the A14, is that you can come off, hoof up some lanes and then re-join, avoiding traffic.

[heppers75]

Podie said:

The crunch point is the M11 becomes the A14.. http://maps.google.com/?ll=52.233267,0.070682&...

It’s often worth coming off (as if you were going to head east) but keep in the right hand lane and re-join, rather than sitting in the queue.

Another tactic is to take the small turning (The Ave), turn right down Dry Drayton Road, head through Drayton, then come back onto the A14.

I used to do this run twice a week for four years... the advantage of the A14, is that you can come off, hoof up some lanes and then re-join, avoiding traffic.

This... I am doing Cambridge to North Leicestershire at least 2-3 times a week and have been for the last 6 months hence why I suggested the A1, if you want to do the M11 then do so but be prepared to come off around Cambridge and hoof across country to the A1/A14 again. Personally I generally avoid the A14 north of the M11 and take one of the many cross country routes over towards St Neots or Brampton to essentially miss out the Godmanchester/Huntingdon section where it is mostly awful on a good day!

[The_Burg]

hunt_the_fox said:

I commuted from Greenwich to Northampton for 3 months every day. The quickest route is the train. No contest. But if you have to drive then use the M1, even with the roadworks it is quicker.

Absolutely, travel off peak and it's not much dearer than driving.
Peak time depends on you pocket as it will be very expensive.
Around an hour from Euston, no worries about having a few beers and relatively stress free.

[Podie]

Curve ball... M40, then come off and go through Daventry.

Be aware the A361 is currently shut, but head up to Southam (A423), then cut through Upper Boddington and re-join the A361 at Byfield. Then take the A45 out of Daventry to M1 J16...

[JB!]

M25-M40-A43

[jagracer]

JB! said:

M25-M40-A43

A longer route but probably a lot easier, especially as NCOT lives in Bromley so not too far from J4 M25

[JB!]

jagracer said:

A longer route but probably a lot easier, especially as NCOT lives in Bromley so not too far from J4 M25

Most free flowing at the mo, as the A1 is poo, the M1 is slow J10-13, and you can kiss goodbye to a quick cutthrough at Bicester, as they are sticking a roundabout on that bit of dual carriageway between the town and the M40.

The M40 and A43 are pretty fast-flowing, so what you create in distance you save in time, plus I *think* you miss the M25 works by taking the M40

[Alfa numeric]

JB! said:

Most free flowing at the mo, as the A1 is poo, the M1 is slow J10-13, and you can kiss goodbye to a quick cutthrough at Bicester, as they are sticking a roundabout on that bit of dual carriageway between the town and the M40.

The M40 and A43 are pretty fast-flowing, so what you create in distance you save in time, plus I *think* you miss the M25 works by taking the M40

Yup, plus all those roundabouts are fun...

[littleredrooster]

JB! said:

......The M40 and A43 are pretty fast-flowing,.....

Beware the Scameras on the A43 though.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the ideas!

Unfortunately train isn't an option - I have to be there for 7 so travelling on peak, and finish late so won't be able to get back on publi transport. Giving somebody a lift though so the petrol costs become more bearable (but it's going to be £50-60 in petrol!).

I like the M40 ideas but it is a hell of a lot further and involves the SW bit of the M25 at rushhour which makes me jittery...

Is the top of the M11 going to be that bad? I just want to get out of London in the right direction as soon as poss to avoid getting snarled up there... I could cut across to St.Neots and then B645 to Wellingborough...

[Cock Womble 7]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Is the top of the M11 going to be that bad?

Pot luck really - it might be fine, it might not.

It's the same with the M1; you could sail through with no problem, but it only takes one incident (usually around Toddington, for some reason) to turn it into a nightmare.

If I may suggest an alternative:

A1 up to Sandy, then the A603 towards Bedford, pick up the A421, then the brand-new Kempston bypass (A5134) which takes you to the A428 Bedford to Northampton road.