Rugby to Oxford Commute- need advice
Discussion
In just over a week I start a new commute from Rugby, Warks to Oxford City Centre.
The way I see this I probably have 2 main options-
1) Drive to Leamington and train it in to Oxford CC
2) Drive to Park and Ride (Pear Tree) and see how that goes?
Any people doing this and anything I should and shouldn't be doing. As I understand it driving into the City Centre of Oxford is a no-go.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
The way I see this I probably have 2 main options-
1) Drive to Leamington and train it in to Oxford CC
2) Drive to Park and Ride (Pear Tree) and see how that goes?
Any people doing this and anything I should and shouldn't be doing. As I understand it driving into the City Centre of Oxford is a no-go.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Having worked in Oxford for 9 years and now working in Maidenhead, I'd seriously advise trying both options you mention. I used to travel 11 miles from home using the A34 and then Botley Road towards the industrial estate at Osney Mead - generally it took me around an hour to do that journey in the car. I now commute 34 miles to Maidenhead and it takes me 50 minutes at the same time of day...
The A34 on a morning is quite simply horrific - not all the time, but soon as anyone has an accident, you'll find it takes a few hours to go a few miles. Given that Oxford also has a lot of roadworks ongoing with more planned in the city, the whole ring road has been nothing short of a nightmare... However, where the improvements are being finished ive found a noticeable relief on congestion which is positive for the future.
I highly suspect the train will be the least stressful and depends where your work is in Oxford and whether you can walk from the station or if you need onward travel. Even living locally I wouldn't consider driving to work in Oxford again, and I know a few people at the firm I used to work for leaving for pastures new purely due to the commute...
Maybe try driving for a week and train for a week? Then see what works best for you. Obviously the above experience is based on a 0900-1730 job... Earlier starts might mean you miss the major traffic.
The A34 on a morning is quite simply horrific - not all the time, but soon as anyone has an accident, you'll find it takes a few hours to go a few miles. Given that Oxford also has a lot of roadworks ongoing with more planned in the city, the whole ring road has been nothing short of a nightmare... However, where the improvements are being finished ive found a noticeable relief on congestion which is positive for the future.
I highly suspect the train will be the least stressful and depends where your work is in Oxford and whether you can walk from the station or if you need onward travel. Even living locally I wouldn't consider driving to work in Oxford again, and I know a few people at the firm I used to work for leaving for pastures new purely due to the commute...
Maybe try driving for a week and train for a week? Then see what works best for you. Obviously the above experience is based on a 0900-1730 job... Earlier starts might mean you miss the major traffic.
Depending on the time you go, getting into Leamington can be a real pain. If you're using Pear Tree when you're coming home consider cutting through Middle Stoney the A34/M40 junction can get a long tail back @ rush hour. You may not save much time but at least you keep moving and the scenery's nicer.
I've not tried but Banbury station maybe worth a look, not sure what the parking's like.
Good luck finding a decent route. On reflection Leamington maybe better but try both.
I've not tried but Banbury station maybe worth a look, not sure what the parking's like.
Good luck finding a decent route. On reflection Leamington maybe better but try both.
Edited by PositronicRay on Sunday 11th January 10:21
How about park at Banbury station? Cross Country Trains to Oxford take 17 minutes and are every 30 minutes, plus there's the local window licker service that takes 30 minutes.
There's a new car park at Banbury station, iirc it's £7.50 per day, although there is an all day car park 3-4 minutes walk from the station for £3.50 all day.
There's a new car park at Banbury station, iirc it's £7.50 per day, although there is an all day car park 3-4 minutes walk from the station for £3.50 all day.
PositronicRay said:
I've not tried but Banbury station maybe worth a look, not sure what the parking's like.
+1I would give this serious consideration. Rugby - Oxford for me is about 50-55 mins under ideal conditions; the only time I've tried it at rush-hour, it took me 2+ hours.
M40 around that route seems to have had more than its fair share of RTCs recently causing many closures.
Thanks for this everyone, some perfect experiences and advice. I was worried about Leamington in the mornings. I looked at Warwick Parkway and also concluded it was going the wrong way for me to have a longer train ride in.
Banbury is probably the best bet it sounds though the parking is steep @ £7.50!
Banbury is probably the best bet it sounds though the parking is steep @ £7.50!
I think you'll have to "suck it and see"
You can save a bit by paying weekly/monthly/annually
http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/sites/default/fi...
You can save a bit by paying weekly/monthly/annually
http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/sites/default/fi...
Banbury station parking is £7 a day (or was just before Christmas), and the new multi-storey is great. I only use it occasionally when I need to be in London, but it's far better than trying to get into Leamington to get the train.
Use the A426 and A423 rather than cutting on to the M40 at Jct12, that way you avoid JLR Gaydon traffic too.
Use the A426 and A423 rather than cutting on to the M40 at Jct12, that way you avoid JLR Gaydon traffic too.
I used to work in rugby and Banbury. Occasionally I would need to go to Oxford
The train from Coventry or leamington to Oxford was £45 return, which is crazy. If I was you I would drive to Banbury and then get a train from banbury to Oxford. Was less than £5 return from ban to Oxford.
I couldn't believe the train cost from Coventry to Oxford and the idea of driving into Oxford is just a nightmare in its own.
The train from Coventry or leamington to Oxford was £45 return, which is crazy. If I was you I would drive to Banbury and then get a train from banbury to Oxford. Was less than £5 return from ban to Oxford.
I couldn't believe the train cost from Coventry to Oxford and the idea of driving into Oxford is just a nightmare in its own.
LittleEnus said:
Thanks for this everyone, some perfect experiences and advice. I was worried about Leamington in the mornings. I looked at Warwick Parkway and also concluded it was going the wrong way for me to have a longer train ride in.
Banbury is probably the best bet it sounds though the parking is steep @ £7.50!
...much better value for a monthly parking pass - roughly halves the cost.Banbury is probably the best bet it sounds though the parking is steep @ £7.50!
Traffic on the A34 in the mornings is normally horrendous, this is without accidents etc. Traffic regularly backs up around Islip to the M40 which in turn blocks up the roundabout at Jct 9 due to the lights continually changing when there is nowhere for the traffic to go and as such people inching across the junction blocking traffic, I cross it going to Bicester every morning and sometimes sit there for 10 mins with it completely gridlocked, i'd hate to be going South towards Oxford
DrTre said:
Depending on the time of day I echo Banbury, Leam is a b
h to get to/park at (though there's a few driveways on parkopedia).
Rugby to Southam then Banbury is pretty straightforward.
It's a good road this, but be aware of the two (50mph) speed cameras on the long straight just before you get to the first roundabout at Southam. The first one is in plain sight but the second is partially hidden by trees. I know the lines on the road surface are a dead give away but in some circumstances you can't see the second set very clearly.h to get to/park at (though there's a few driveways on parkopedia).Rugby to Southam then Banbury is pretty straightforward.
Good luck with your commute! I do it regularly (Rugby to Oxford station via Banbury and Kidlington or down to Hinksey on the A34) and it can be a real 'mare.
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