OT: advice on journey plan please

[Penners]

Apologies that this is even more off-topic than my usual ramblings. It's a question addressed to anyone who lives roughly in the areas of Suffolk, the M11, northern M25 and M4.

We have to drive down from Suffolk to a wedding near Newbury, tomorrow, and I just want to get a sense of what the road conditions are like, outside of all the hysteria in the media. I realise that a lot can change in 24 hours, but any guidance is better than none.

We simply cannot miss this wedding - the dear daughter of our oldest friends.

Anyone, please...?

 

[robgil]

main trunk roads should be ok Penners, its been snowing here all day but i am sure you will be fine.

 

[TomW]

Fine here in Sudbury, an inch or so of snow, but roads open.
Steer clear of Colchester area, A12 down to M25, Dartford crossing has been bad. A colleague took 9 hours driving from Colchester to Maidstone Tuesday night :shock: , but I doubt you would be going that way anyway. North round M25 looks to be your best bet.

 

[Juju]

Oxfordshire and Bucks are ok and I just spoke to my Dad in Surrey who said the main roads are starting to clear. Not sure if that's any help! South central England (I think that makes sense!) seems to have escaped the worst of it - I guess your main problem is the first part of your journey...

 

[Penners]

Thanks everyone.

Yes, Juju, I agree that the trickiest bit is likely to be the few miles between our remote location and the nearest main road (A143). However, the postman's just been, so it should be OK!

I'm encouraged to hear other reports from further south. Tom, thanks for your warning about Essex. I'm planning to take the more inland route.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Wishing you a safe drive Mr P. The very, very, snowiest bit is in my garden right now and that hill down to Grantham, the roads are clear-ish though. Chris has made it to London every day, though his colleague who lives in Blackheath has wimped out. :roll:

 

[Penners]

Thanks so much, Joce. I'm sure we shall be fine, particularly if we avoid coming through your garden! :wink:

The great temptation is to make our excuses and stay here, huddled up by the woodburner. But this is one wedding we simply can't miss. We've known the bride since she was a baby, and her parents are our best friends.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I agree you must go. And you can blame me if it takes you 16 hours. Travel rug in the car for your good lady and plenty of tea and cake. And a good book - you can make her read to you.

 

[Stephen]

Here in Bishops Stortford there is very little snow around and M11 thought to be OK. Slightly futher over in Chelmsford area I am told there is c. 150mm of snow or more and in East London an Orchestra rehearsal I was meant to go to tonight has been cancelled. I believe M11 from A14 down to M25 is OK at present. Not sure about further afield.

Have a safe journey and a great time.

Stephen

 

[Penners]

Many thanks for that, Stephen. It's good to have a positive report from the halfway point of the journey. I'm certainly planning on A14/A11/M11, rather than the A12.

 

[philmac1944]

a view from SW of London...main roads clear and have just `phoned a friend near Marlborough who
says main roads are ok there; safe journey.

 

[Penners]

Thanks a lot, Phil.

I'm shutting down now, so will be unable to read any more responses before the journey.

Thanks so much, everyone, for taking the trouble to reply. Much appreciated.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

North Wales is fine and flowing freely Penners :wink:

Hope you had a safe journey and a fab wedding. Shame the bride will look like dis-embodied bits of pink floating around in a sea of snow!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Today Guy and I travelled from Ampthill to Fakenham, leaving at 6 a.m using the A11 and A14 through Barton Mills etc, all OK.

J went to Oxford using the 421, Buckingham, Bicester, OK. His Sister travelled to meet him at Pear Tree Roundabout from newbury to Oxford, OK.and his Brother got to Oxford safely from Wales.

All home safe and sound.

Hot drinks, rugs, sannies, and plenty of time, you should be OK, take care and enjoy.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Has Penners made it back safely from his epic "Day after Tomorrow" trek?

 

[middi]

Here, near Dunmow and 10min. from stansted the A 120 and M11 are fine. All bus routes roads are also fine but some of the minor forgotten little village roads can be dodgy.
Only a couple of inches of snow still present.

My brother lives in Enfield Middx spoke to him and said that there is no problem with the M25 in north London suburbs.

Middi

 

[middi]

My post was a bit pointless!!!!!!!!!!!

Just realised It is of no use to Penners . Still, I meant well