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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Varche on 19 February 2019, 10:14:32

Title: A303 nowadays
Post by: Varche on 19 February 2019, 10:14:32
On Thursday our six week plus visit to the UK will be ending.

Will be travelling from Montacute , Somerset to Eurotunnel Folkestone.

What is the A303 like nowadays during the day? I cannot really see any other practical alternative to A303, M3, M25.
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Kevin Wood on 19 February 2019, 10:31:43
It should be bearable off-peak. Whilst it's busy, it's now almost 100% dual carriageway. The section past Stonehenge is still single and does get congested, but provided you're not trying to negotiate it on a Friday or Sunday evening it's probably still the best bet.
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Varche on 19 February 2019, 10:41:41
Thanks. Going on Thursday to avoid half term rush
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 February 2019, 11:13:46
A303, M3, A272, A259 if you want a slightly more scenic route :y

Almost a straight line too...
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 February 2019, 11:37:22
A303, M3, A272, A283, A27, A259 if you want a slightly more scenic route :y

Almost a straight line too...
Actually scratch that... Your route saves two hours and 30 miles, both of which are a surprise  :o
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: aaronjb on 19 February 2019, 13:08:45
A303, M3, A272, A283, A27, A259 if you want a slightly more scenic route :y

Almost a straight line too...
Actually scratch that... Your route saves two hours and 30 miles, both of which are a surprise  :o

Cabbies.. always taking you the long way 'round  :P ;) ;D
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 February 2019, 13:13:41
That sort of journey would be priced on the shortest route, regardless of actual route taken, whether it be a customer or driver choice ;)
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: aaronjb on 19 February 2019, 13:29:23
That sort of journey would be priced on the shortest route, regardless of actual route taken, whether it be a customer or driver choice ;)

Look, don't go letting facts and logic get in the way of a good joke  :P ;)
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 February 2019, 13:42:23
That sort of journey would be priced on the shortest route, regardless of actual route taken, whether it be a customer or driver choice ;)

Look, don't go letting facts and logic get in the way of a good joke  :P ;)
Actually, it isn't a journey that many would take on... Being south of the river...  :D
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Bigron on 19 February 2019, 14:50:33
That sort of journey would be priced on the shortest route, regardless of actual route taken, whether it be a customer or driver choice ;)

Look, don't go letting facts and logic get in the way of a good joke  :P ;)
Actually, it isn't a journey that many would take on... Being south of the river...  :D


Passport and visa requirements notwithstanding.....

Ron.
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Kevin Wood on 19 February 2019, 15:46:56
A303, M3, A272, A283, A27, A259 if you want a slightly more scenic route :y

Almost a straight line too...
Actually scratch that... Your route saves two hours and 30 miles, both of which are a surprise  :o

It goes almost past my front door, too, in which case I'll WFH, put the kettle on and cost even more time. ;)
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 February 2019, 15:59:29
A303, M3, A272, A283, A27, A259 if you want a slightly more scenic route :y

Almost a straight line too...
Actually scratch that... Your route saves two hours and 30 miles, both of which are a surprise  :o

It goes almost past my front door, too, in which case I'll WFH, put the kettle on and cost even more time. ;)
What day was the shuttle booked for?  ;)
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Nick W on 19 February 2019, 17:36:50
On Thursday our six week plus visit to the UK will be ending.

Will be travelling from Montacute , Somerset to Eurotunnel Folkestone.

What is the A303 like nowadays during the day? I cannot really see any other practical alternative to A303, M3, M25.


There isn't. The short section past Stonehenge is the worst bit, but trying to avoid it is worse.


As for doing the rest of it cross-country, it's like driving through London rather than going around the M25: utter insanity
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 19 February 2019, 17:58:48
A few months ago I was on the A303 Londonwards and google maps started squawking at me to turn off onto the A36 for Salisbury and from there diverted me through the Wiltshire lanes around a big jam at Stonehenge.  :y

Saved me 40 minutes of sat in traffic.  :)   Apparently.....  :-\   ;D
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Bigron on 19 February 2019, 18:38:34
However, if everyone else also had Google maps.....

Ron.
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 19 February 2019, 18:42:59
However, if everyone else also had Google maps.....

Ron.

I think most people have expensive bits of kit that they can afford to throw out of the window Ron!  :-X  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Bigron on 19 February 2019, 19:06:19
No, I meant that it would not have been so time-saving if lots of others had also had that utility.

Ron.
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 February 2019, 19:07:42
No, I meant that it would not have been so time-saving if lots of others had also bothered to use that utility.

Ron.
Fixed :D
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 19 February 2019, 19:10:12
No, I meant that it would not have been so time-saving if lots of others had also had that utility.

Ron.

I know what you meant Ron.  :y

Apparently google maps is no good though.  :P :)
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Bigron on 19 February 2019, 19:17:47
Ok, sorry.
I've only got an old Tom Tom, which is still useful, but cannot cope with house names, only numbers.
Can any satnav recognise house names?

Ron.
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 February 2019, 19:24:54
Ok, sorry.
I've only got an old Tom Tom, which is still useful, but cannot cope with house names, only numbers.
Can any satnav recognise house names?

Ron.
The address databases are only as good as the person programming them...
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: biggriffin on 19 February 2019, 20:32:45
Be the route I'd take.
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Kevin Wood on 20 February 2019, 09:42:42
No, I meant that it would not have been so time-saving if lots of others had also had that utility.

Ron.

Google maps only works because lots of other drivers along the various routes are being stalked by their phones contributing.
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: STEMO on 20 February 2019, 14:31:21
No, I meant that it would not have been so time-saving if lots of others had also had that utility.

Ron.

Google maps only works because lots of other drivers along the various routes are being stalked by their phones contributing.
I believe you can stop that by wearing a tin foil hat.
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 20 February 2019, 15:03:51
No, I meant that it would not have been so time-saving if lots of others had also had that utility.

Ron.

Google maps only works because lots of other drivers along the various routes are being stalked by their phones contributing.
I believe you can stop that by wearing a tin foil hat.
How is that working out for you? ::)
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: STEMO on 20 February 2019, 17:12:50
No, I meant that it would not have been so time-saving if lots of others had also had that utility.

Ron.

Google maps only works because lots of other drivers along the various routes are being stalked by their phones contributing.
I believe you can stop that by wearing a tin foil hat.
How is that working out for you? ::)
Fine. You?
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 20 February 2019, 17:17:07
A bit itchy... but I have yet to wash it with Northamptonshire water :D
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Varche on 20 February 2019, 17:52:53
A303, M3, A272, A283, A27, A259 if you want a slightly more scenic route :y

Almost a straight line too...
Actually scratch that... Your route saves two hours and 30 miles, both of which are a surprise  :o

It goes almost past my front door, too, in which case I'll WFH, put the kettle on and cost even more time. ;)
Great idea  :y but we want to get over the channel and away from Calais before dark. 
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 20 February 2019, 17:58:01
A303, M3, A272, A283, A27, A259 if you want a slightly more scenic route :y

Almost a straight line too...
Actually scratch that... Your route saves two hours and 30 miles, both of which are a surprise  :o

It goes almost past my front door, too, in which case I'll WFH, put the kettle on and cost even more time. ;)
Great idea  :y but we want to get over the channel and away from Calais before dark.
If it's as much of a shithole as I remember, darkness improves it no end... ::)
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Nick W on 20 February 2019, 18:04:17
Great idea  :y but we want to get over the channel and away from Calais before dark.
If it's as much of a shithole as I remember, darkness improves it no end... ::)


Neither the ferry nor the tunnel require you to use anything other than the motorway around Calais ???
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Omegatoy on 20 February 2019, 20:23:54
Always drive through france at night! no traffic as france shuts at 5pm,
much better as its only 689 miles approx to san sebastion with no tolls, usually arrive in spain at dawn! lovely drive and the sprinter manages it n a tankful so i dont have to buy expensive french diesel lol
Title: Re: A303 nowadays
Post by: Varche on 22 February 2019, 07:22:56
That A303 route went fine. M25 is a bit noisy in places with concrete sections.