Heading from the Scottish Borders to Kingston upon Thames tomorrow. AA route planner suggests M74/M6/M6 Toll to M42 etc but plugging in "avoid Tolls"  takes you M6/M5/M42 and only seems to save a couple of miles.

 

So..... is it worth the toll fee?

Worth it if you hit Birmingham at rush hour, roadworks and 40mph limit between J10 & J9 at the moment, usually causes hold up's

Depends how much the Toll is

About 4 times out of 6 or 7 trips I've decided not to take the toll and heard on the radio the toll has been shut or gridlocked for one reason or another. So I always take the non toll

about £5.50 I think. I know I'm not going to save that on fuel but depends on how much time and hassle it saves.

I never use it, always seem to get round Birmingham ok at all different times, just listen to the travel news and re route if need be.

As it's a Friday. I'd say yes, the M6 can get very busy there.

Whereabouts in the borders?

 

What about the A1 side.

Been travelling from Kent to The Borders (Hawick) since the mid eighties, tried all sorts of routes and variations current fav is M40, M42, M6 Toll, M6 The only potential issue is umarked police cars. I wouldn't advise using the M5 route to the M42 (long way round twisty and busy) If you want to avoid the toll then stick on the M6 and pick up the M42 south of Birmingham. You take pot luck with the Spaghetti Junction. Tomorrow is no doubt going to be busy regardless.

 

Safe Journey

Whereabouts in the borders?

 

What about the A1 side.

 

 

Western side. Don't fancy the A1 route, looks move complex to get to the south side of London.

My son drives an HGV and always takes that toll route if he can.

any time after 2.30pm the M6 will be horrible from 11 to 9, I got stuck on there for 3 hrs last week 

 

It wasnt long after this cars reversed up the hard shoulder back to the 11 exit, leaving us the space to play football 

I'd take the toll, I travelled home from the M25 to the borders every week end for four months and in my opinion the toll is worth every penny.

Looks like the Toll, expect to hit that junction about 1.00.

Personally, I'd say neither. Get off the m6 at 16. A50 to the M1 and down from there.

Looks like the Toll, expect to hit that junction about 1.00.

If you mean 01.00, use the M6

If you mean 13.00, use the M6T

Toll everytime when I head to the Big Smoke.

Quicker. Better surface.  Much nicer service station if you need to stop (diabetic bladder means I know all the good ones!)

Personally, I'd say neither. Get off the m6 at 16. A50 to the M1 and down from there.

 

Tried that way Steve and also the A66 from Penrith to the A1, they all are all as broad as they are long tbh. If I don't fancy the monotony of the motorways I sometimes cut across to Carter Bar then Newcastle and the A1. Overall longest Journey 12 hours, shortest one,... can't say, but it was very short...

 

The M40 will take you ito the closest point on the M25 to your destination, though the M1 or A1M isn't too far further round and not too bad travelling clockwise from it to Kingston, if you wanted to consider those options.

You'll hit about a five minute delay at Jct10 if there's no shunts. Other than that should be plain sailing- I wouldn't pay for the toll out of principal. 

Well M6 was a complete made from 22 down to 18. Reports of major delays from 11 to 9 so took the toll, which was a dream. Bottom section of the M;40 connected and M25 horrid.

I may live in the sticks with just single carriageway A roads but I don't envy you Southern guys one little bit!

Not hot on the way home!, Bitching Betty (sat nav, not SWIMBO) took us on to the M1 to head north. We were heading to the western Borders so after road works and congestion I decided to cut losses and head across the M62 to M6 -big mistake, crawling traffic until we got off the 62.

 

400 miles and 8.5 hrs down. 440 miles and 9 hrs home - shattered!

OFF TOPIC sorry,

 But instead of starting a new thread.  Advice please.

 

My sons got to be in Blackpool for a Flight at 4.00 PM on Monday.

So Edinburgh-Blackpool, Bank Holiday travel..

 

Advice please,

any likely road problems Holiday Monday other than the Obvious.

& 

Parking at the Airport/Heliport for 14 days.

 

Websites say 15 days free parking, ?  Is this correct, or any advice on Secure/Safe Parking Please.

George, Blackpool airport????? are you sure?

 

If driving to Blackpool from Edinburgh 4 hrs should be safe, will be off M6 before you get the worst of the traffic.

 

15 days free parking would be very unusual - unless you are booking a pre flight hotel which will also keep the car.

Bond Helicopters. Squires Gate, Blackpool, FY4 2QS

 

It does sound unusual on the parking,

, there are pre bookings showing for £5.50 a day,

but several sites showing Airport 15 days free,  then £10 a day.

(A Blackpool Promotion, but maybe well out of date.)

 

?? Does anyone know, 

he is away right now and just asked me to check.

I will phone Bond and check.  But was hoping for some local knowledge.