worX
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 02:36 PM |
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How long will it take me to drive to London...
Hi All,
I have to take my missus to London to arrive before 9am this Monday morning (22nd) and as it's quite important that she gets there on time, I
thought I'd ask to see if anyone had any thoughts on it.
It isn't really feasible to leave the day before and stop over as I'm busy on Sunday, so I'm going to drive direct.
We live in Middlewich, Cheshire, postcode CW10 and I need to be at W1B 1JH!
Any other tips are welcome... I am aware that's just inside the congestion zone, but if anyone know's of somewhere to park around there
for upto 6-7hours I'd be grateful!
Thanks in anticipation,
cheers,
Steve
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welderman
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 02:39 PM |
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should take you about 3 hours if that
Thank's, Joe 
I don't stalk people
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/23/viewthread.php?tid=172301
Back on with the Fisher Fury R1
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mookaloid
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 02:39 PM |
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http://www.theaa.com/
Route planner gives approximate times
Cheers
mark
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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Howlor
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 02:39 PM |
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3-3.5 Hours generally should do it. If I leave for a meeting in London I would leave 4.5 just to make sure.
Steve
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Confused but excited.
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 02:43 PM |
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As above.
It's not getting to London that's the problem.
It's all the faffing about once you are there.
Tell them about the bent treacle edges!
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mark chandler
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 02:46 PM |
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I would allow 5 hours, forget London central as traffic will be appalling and parking will be around £40 + £10 congestion.
Go to Heathrow, park there and take the tube, still very expensive but you will arrive in time.
I live 50 miles from central London, I used to drive in... not any more, 3 hours from my house and I know the backroads.
I left Heathrow 3 weeks ago for a meal at the strand left at 18.45, arrived at 20:30 and thats against the flow so quicker... its really sucks going
into London these days.
Regards Mark
[Edited on 17/10/07 by mark chandler]
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martyn_16v
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 02:56 PM |
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Heathrow's not a bad idea as it's on the way, but bear in mind the tube in from all that way out takes a good hour to get in.
I'd say it's a bit over 4 hours driving door to door. If you are going to park in London you're better off getting inside the
congestion charge zone, the parking is so much cheaper just inside the border it works out cheaper overall after only about 3 hours parking.
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Howlor
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 03:04 PM |
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I do GSK alot just off the M4. Monday morning the traffic is terrible along the M4 I have been sat before on the motorway outside the GSK building,
they can see me, I can see them and I'am having to telcon my meeting!
Heathrow is a good suggestion.
Steve
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wilkingj
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 03:09 PM |
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Stop outside London, or at the nearest underground station and then go by Tube.
The parking will probably be cheaper, and a lot quicker.
In central london I believe the average between tube stations in about 4 minutes per stop. Dont know what the outer limits of the tube is.
Certainly a lot earier than driving in London on a monday morning.
ie rather you than me
1. The point of a journey is not to arrive.
2. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Best Regards
Geoff
http://www.v8viento.co.uk
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pewe
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 03:15 PM |
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I would leave 4+ hrs as you will be skirting Birmingham (M5/M42/M40 is probably best) and then drop the car off at Hillingdon tube car park and do the
rest by tube - straight through to Baker St.
Won't be too exciting on the tube at that time in the morning but far enough out to get a seat.
Also check Hillingdon car-park is pay & display not totally season ticket as it's some years since I've used it.
Cheers, Pewe . 
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iank
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 03:23 PM |
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The heathrow express is much quicker than the tube (if parking out there) but a lot more expensive obviously.
Parking outside and getting the tube in is a good idea.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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MG David
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 03:51 PM |
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I think the journey will be unpredictable. Mondays are particularly bad.
Have you thought about going down the night before? Some hotels will do a very good deal on a Sunday night.
Otherwise, going to one of the outer tube stations as has been said would be good but I would not use Heathrow tube as Heathrow has all sorts of
unpredictable problems of its own. Hillingdon was a better idea.
Wish her luck with the interview.
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fuzzy!!
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 04:14 PM |
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You're about 5 mins from my father-in-law. We're up there fairly regularly. 3.5 hours?  !! on a Monday morning? !! into central
London? !! is that enough exclamations? That 5 hour estimate is probably more appropriate particularly if you HAVE to be there by 9am
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andyharding
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 04:16 PM |
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I go to E14 for work quite a bit.
If it's weekend I drive (from Staffs) A50, M1, M25, M11.
If it's weekday I always use the train.
Are you a Mac user or a retard?
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worX
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 04:20 PM |
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I HAVE to be there for 9am and thats including the time it'll take me to find the building we need and get in and everything...
I cannot go the night before...
I was thinking of leaving at 4am ish so that ties in with what I thought.
I think the tube into london is a good idea, and where I am going is near to Euston Station.
Thanks for all your help...
cheers,
Steve
If anyone has any other ideas then please keep the coming!
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fesycresy
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 04:23 PM |
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Pushbike.
It's all down hill from your place isn't it ?
HTH 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
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martinq357
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 04:39 PM |
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I'd second the Hillingdon idea, or Heathrow Hatton Cross has a car park, can't help with the idea of costs or availability though.
Another thought would be somewhere like Farnborough, which would take you straight to Waterloo. Farnborough has a fair bit of parking too.
Martin.
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MG David
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 04:40 PM |
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You will both be knackered driving that far in a locost! PErhaps an 8am hair appointment near by
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Mal
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 04:52 PM |
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Oxford Tube
A method I have found satisfactory is effectively a long distance park and ride.
Drive down the M40 and catch the Oxford Tube from Thornhill Park and Ride on the outskirts of Qxford. Cheap parking, coaches about every 12 or15
minutes from 4 o/clock in the morning, tickets about £12, will get you to central London well in time for your wife's appointment.
For times see Oxford Tube.com
Mal
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Fozzie
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 05:22 PM |
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Deffo agree with all above on the park and ride!
All M-ways (nearer) into London are jam packed especially on a Monday! even early morning.
Oxford sounds like a very good idea (IMHO) as the motorway from Oxford (east bound) toward the M25 gathers even more commuting traffic ... 
Good Luck!
Fozzie
'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen
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greggors84
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 05:45 PM |
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The Oxford Tube is still only a coach though so will still have to get through all that commuter traffic! Not sure when the bus lanes start but I know
its a way inside the m25.
As said the best way is to get a tube near where ever you cross the M25. If you go down the M40 use Hillingdon, if you use the M1 try High Barnet.
Check what lines they are on to see how to get to your destination.
[Edited on 17/10/2007 by greggors84]
Chris
The Magnificent 7!
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alfasudsprint
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 05:45 PM |
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E14 and W1? W1 is a complete different kettle of fish. I work in the city, near St Pauls, at the mo, wouldn't dream of driving. no point. The
only people I see driving are rich nobs with Aston Martins or van drivers who have tools/materials. I would personally take the train all the
way...
Tim
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billynomates
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 05:56 PM |
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Tell her to get the train, shouldn't take you long to get to somewhere like Crewe.
Then you can go back to bed.
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speedyxjs
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 06:32 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
http://www.theaa.com/
Route planner gives approximate times
Cheers
mark
Not entirely accurate though. I had a marketing meeting in trowbridge last wednesday and the aa quoted 3.04 hrs and i would have done it in two if i
hadnt stopped but better early than late i suppose
How long can i resist the temptation to drop a V8 in?
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Paul TigerB6
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| posted on 17/10/07 at 07:08 PM |
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oooo - unlucky Steve!! Looks like you have a 4am start there then mate!! M6 / M42 / M40 it is then hey??
Would seriously consider driving to Milton Keynes or Luton and the jumping on a train from there. By the time you pay conjestion tax / parking it may
well make a lot of sense
[Edited on 17/10/07 by Paul TigerB6]
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