Commuting to London - by car

[MYOB]

Hello all

I have done it all. I have commuted to London by train, motorbike and coach. Now I want to explore the possibility of commuting by car.

I'm in North Kent, so would traverse by M2 and A2. Current thinking is drive to Falconwood, and get the train into town from there. I recall there was free on-road parking at Falconwood but not too sure if any restrictions are there?

Does anyone else have any suggestions of where I can park for free and get the train or tube into central London?

I'm fed up with paying £4000 a year when I only travel 3 days a week (still works out cheaper to buy annual season ticket).

Thanks.

[MYOB]

Thanks - but I think you misread my post.

I certainly do not need to cross the tunnel/bridge...

Looking to travel up the M2/A2, poss to Falconwood (anyone - is it still possible to park for free on the Rochester Way?).

Cheers.

[MYOB]

I think the nearest Oyster card station is some 35 miles away!

[MYOB]

Thanks all. It does sound as if it's a hassle in trying to find a parking spot, and it's equally important to have some contingencies in case there are no spaces available.

I like the suggestion of renting someone's driveway for £40 a month! Might look into this...will listen to offers

Thanks all.

[MYOB]

David

Hmm...might try and find your driveway and offer them £50...a bidding war perchance!

Just need to look into the cost of doing the commute by car (wear and tear, depreciation, fuel, parking etc).

I believe there's a car park near the 02 ( not the 02 car park). Anyone know anything about this?

Ta.

[MYOB]

davidc1 said:

He would probably take your 50 he is a bit of a wide boy!
the 02 car park is v dear , plus the trafic will be to much , after kidbrooke the trafic is v slow most mornings/evenings as it goes down from 3 to 2 lanes at times...
you already have the car , so all you will be doing is the extra fuel...
where are you coming in from?

I didn't mean the actual 02 car park...I spoke to someone a few years back who said he parked nearby for much cheaper.

I would be driving from near Sittingbourne. I'm on flexitime so my thinking is very early starts to get home for end-school time.

I commute 4 hours a day and to be honest, don't expect this to change if I drive up nearer to town. It's about saving some money. Commuting by motorbikes was the most fun, and shortest (1 hour each way) but also the most expensive!

One advantage with the train is one can catch up on lost sleep...

[MYOB]

TV8 said:

I see, so not that north in Kent then!

Have you heard of the north Kent coastline?

[MYOB]

Thanks all.

Got a lot to chew on here. No easy or obvious answer on what to do.

Regards

[MYOB]

FBP1 said:

I live near lee station and I wish you lot would ferk off and just get the train from where you live. It makes parking in my road nigh on impossible and God help you if you need to drop the kids somewhere or nip somewhere for a bottle of milk or whatever as you will have 5 Colin commuters waiting to park out side your house as you pull away. You then end up parking half a mile from your house on your return.

I hate controlled parking zones as they are just money for councils who do very little for us in return but I would now welcome it where we are to stop all this.

Smashing, Lee station it is then

Thanks for the other contributions too.

[MYOB]

strattonkillick said:

I think that there will be parking restrictions around Lee station fairly soon. One of the problems was that Lewisham Council would only allow a full day CPZ, they have now relented and will be offering a two hour restriction which I think will get through. I don't care where you park as long as it's legal but a lot of people struggle now with parking during the day as a result of commuters leaving their car and walking to Lee or Hither Green. That and a local car hire company using our roads for additional parking.

Thanks. I certainly wouldn't wish to park where it angers/inconveniences the locals. Currently reviewing parkatmyhouse.com but prices seem ridiculous!

[MYOB]

kiethton said:

Mare, think I may need to get my motorbike license sooner than planned, lets hope it doesn't happen on the south side of Lee station...

It may sound a little selfish but I have hardly anywhere else to park at present that allows me to get to work on time (at my desk for 6:40), lee just doesn't have a car park and even if it did £8 a day on top of nearly the same again for a ticket is unpalatable. Although I'm only in Poverest the only station within a 30 min walk is St Mary Cray and it doesn't go to cannon street (work in Moorgate).

What else could I do, did cycle but given the time to get in for in the new job I wouldn't fancy leaving any earlier, especially as I'm not normally back before 9pm

That's a long day. What do you do?