The Roads in the UK - and Life in General… (1 Viewer)

[JackieP]

Coming from the comparative isolation of those massive roads in Spain that bring you to the border of France and then a month of pootling around France on country, often, single track roads, it's a hell of a shock to drive out of Folkestone docks straight onto the motorway into nose to tail hell.

I spent a leisurely yesterday at the P+R at Canterbury and in the city reacquainting myself with fish and chips, avoiding Costa coffee (the McDonalds of the coffee world it would seem) and marvelling that I could speak to people without the need for a dictionary and hand signals.

Destination north and eventually Liverpool for the boat back to the Island on Monday and I decide to take the M25 and the Dartford crossing before taking the smaller, quieter roads.

I knew it would be busy so I did something I've never done before - I set the alarm for 3.50 am and left Canterbury (very quietly) at just after 4am this morning.

I thought the roads would be empty but no, they were absolutely bouncing and, by the time I passed the Dartford crossing and headed on the M25 ring road, the lorries and cars were almost at a standstill on the opposite carriageway coming into London.

This was about 5am in the morning and the roads were packed with people starting their day. God only knows what it must be like at 9am.

I've never thought of myself as a good driver but today as I was changing lanes and bringing overtaken and undertaken by eighteen wheelers and keeping my cool I did suddenly realise that I'm not so bad after all - so it was a good lesson for me.

But really, what is happening to us on this Island - all this rushing and congestion and having a life where you have to get up at four in the morning just to get to work on time. For it it was a choice but I really felt for those on the other side.

Anyway - I'm tired - I'm going to bed - but I just thought I'd throw this out there…

 

[Sue]

Coming from the comparative isolation of those massive roads in Spain that bring you to the border of France and then a month of pootling around France on country, often, single track roads, it's a hell of a shock to drive out of Folkestone docks straight onto the motorway into nose to tail hell.

I spent a leisurely yesterday at the P+R at Canterbury and in the city reacquainting myself with fish and chips, avoiding Costa coffee (the McDonalds of the coffee world it would seem) and marvelling that I could speak to people without the need for a dictionary and hand signals.

Destination north and eventually Liverpool for the boat back to the Island on Monday and I decide to take the M25 and the Dartford crossing before taking the smaller, quieter roads.

I knew it would be busy so I did something I've never done before - I set the alarm for 3.50 am and left Canterbury (very quietly) at just after 4am this morning.

I thought the roads would be empty but no, they were absolutely bouncing and, by the time I passed the Dartford crossing and headed on the M25 ring road, the lorries and cars were almost at a standstill on the opposite carriageway coming into London.

This was about 5am in the morning and the roads were packed with people starting their day. God only knows what it must be like at 9am.

I've never thought of myself as a good driver but today as I was changing lanes and bringing overtaken and undertaken by eighteen wheelers and keeping my cool I did suddenly realise that I'm not so bad after all - so it was a good lesson for me.

But really, what is happening to us on this Island - all this rushing and congestion and having a life where you have to get up at four in the morning just to get to work on time. For it it was a choice but I really felt for those on the other side.

Anyway - I'm tired - I'm going to bed - but I just thought I'd throw this out there…

We are overcrowded.

 

[vwalan]

been overcrowded for years .
as a kid used to go abroad in m,homes with my parents even in the early 60,s when you came back it was busy compared to france spain .
but then they are 3 times bigger or there abouts . germany even poland much bigger .
but move off the main roads uk can be a pleasure .
it does seem most in uk want to travel at the max speed on any road . never look around and see the beauty of england .
i say use smaller non main roads slow down and enjoy the drive . be prepared to stop look at scenery . its not better anywhere in the world .
just different.
all through the night trucks are moving your food and goods .
i used to night trunk so i can say driving from cornwall to birmingham and back every night can get a bit boring . but so can here to london and back.
mind food is brought even from africa by trucks . uk just cant grow etc enough food never mind other things . clothes furniture . even london under ground trains , have followed them from portugal many a time .

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[Just smiffy]

It's the rat race Jackie, their all trying to earn that pension so they can have a Motorhome too when they retire.... l feel and fear we're the lucky ones...

 

[Langtoftlad]

I would imagine the traffic would be similar, if not worse at any major city at rush hour(s)... New York, Paris, Tokyo... I've been some places where the M25 would be thought of as deserted...

Abu Dhabi at 09.30 on a Sunday .

 

[Time4T]

What's happening to us is the direct consequence of the stupidity of the human race, who don't seem to realise that they can't go having 4+ kids without considering what will happen when their little darlings grow up & want/need cars.
plus the latest increases due to immigration, which now means that a country that can in reality only support 47 million now has 70 million plus to cope with!

But oh no, we can't possibly tell the poor that they can't have any further benefits if they have any more than 2 babies, or the rich that we'll tax them 10% of their total wealth for every child over the average 2 that they have.

So in the end we'll all end up moving at a very slow crawl, no matter whether we're walking, cycling, biking or driving because there's just to many of us!

Oh no, do I feel another population reducing war coming?!
Actually I think I'd better get my tin hat on anyway!

Phill

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[vwalan]

It's the rat race Jackie, their all trying to earn that pension so they can have a Motorhome too when they retire.... l feel and fear we're the lucky ones...

i would say that for every uk m,home in spain etc in winter there must be 100 from other countries .
even countries we think are poor are way ahead of uk.
but yes many are trying to get there.

 

[Baldeagle7470]

@JackieP that is exactly how I feel about this country of my birth.Love it as ever but sometimes hate coming back.Lovely people but the country is simply overwhelmed.
The terrible tragedy of this week just shows,they admit they will not identify everyone,that's because so many people were probably living there who maybe should not have been.So sad,yes they may have escaped persecution but their days ended in a terrible fire.
When will it end,never in my humble opinion,roads are worse than Portugal,as is the NHS,not the staff just the admin and budgets.
Too many clients to deal with,this little Island is struggling and makes me so sad.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I'm sorry but what the OP is describing is simply the traffic congestion suffered by every major city in the world, on every continent.
It's nothing to do with Britain being over crowded, or immigration.
It's because London is a major city & that means traffic congestion.

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[Sue]

M

I'm sorry but what the OP is describing is simply the traffic congestion suffered by every major city in the world, on every continent.
It's nothing to do with Britain being over crowded, or immigration.
It's because London is a major city & that means traffic congestion.

Not just London..M6 M1 M40 M42 A14...etc etc. We are overcrowded

 

[angusboy]

M4 m5

 

[Langtoftlad]

Freeways 405, I10, 605
BR101 in Brazil
Ontario 401
China G110, G6
Everywhere - we are not alone, we are not special with traffic congestion

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[Langtoftlad]

"The China National Highway 110 traffic jam was a recurring massive traffic jam that began to form on August 14, 2010, mostly on China National Highway 110 (G110) and Beijing–Tibet expressway (G6), in Hebei and Inner Mongolia. The traffic jam slowed down thousands of vehicles for more than 100 kilometres (60 mi) and lasted for more than ten days. Many drivers were able to move their vehicles only 1 km (0.6 mi) per day, and some drivers reported being stuck in the traffic jam for five days. It is considered to be one of the longest traffic jams by some media."

 

[vwalan]

"The China National Highway 110 traffic jam was a recurring massive traffic jam that began to form on August 14, 2010, mostly on China National Highway 110 (G110) and Beijing–Tibet expressway (G6), in Hebei and Inner Mongolia. The traffic jam slowed down thousands of vehicles for more than 100 kilometres (60 mi) and lasted for more than ten days. Many drivers were able to move their vehicles only 1 km (0.6 mi) per day, and some drivers reported being stuck in the traffic jam for five days. It is considered to be one of the longest traffic jams by some media."

but as a comparison uk is a third world country.
even some in africa are infront of us in uk.
its about time uk woke up.

 

[Langtoftlad]

but as a comparison uk is a third world country.
even some in africa are infront of us in uk.
its about time uk woke up.

I know its fashionable to denigrate Britain but I don't agree...

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[vwalan]

I know its fashionable to denigrate Britain but I don't agree...

i,m with you . but uk does need a wake up.
gotta move fast or be left behind .

 

[Badknee]

It's not just the roads that are overcrowded, schools, doctors, hospitals. We're full to bursting point.

 

[two]

I was a keen cyclist as a youngster and would go out most Sundays when I'd often not meet a vehicle by using country roads. Not now, because it's far too dangerous. Not every household had a car then and only a few had more than one - and streets were not cluttered with parked cars...

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[EX51SSS]

i,m with you . but uk does need a wake up.
gotta move fast or be left behind .

We all need to wake up, stop driving cars because we're on too much money and we need to give at least 50% back to the employer to make us competitive and raise taxes to 40% to help the government.
Sorry, just thinking what's been suggested previously

 

[MR. FUSION]

The official population figures are a total lie, we are being lied to constantly by governments. The truth in 2007 is that there were nearly 80 million people in the UK. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/b...opulation-is-at-least-77-million-5328454.html. We can only guess what it is now, probably over 100 million.

 

[EX51SSS]

The official population figures are a total lie, we are being lied to constantly by governments. The truth in 2007 is that there were nearly 80 million people in the UK. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/b...opulation-is-at-least-77-million-5328454.html. We can only guess what it is now, probably over 100 million.

That's more accurate. I met them all on the M6 last month

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[Carol]

The life in general bit, good to hear you are back after what must be a couple of years traveling and adventures in your beautiful van, be interesting to hear about some of your travels.

 

[davidbaldam]

Now look what you started Jackie Some roads might be crowded but life is good.

 

[Brian and Jo]

Coming from the comparative isolation of those massive roads in Spain that bring you to the border of France and then a month of pootling around France on country, often, single track roads, it's a hell of a shock to drive out of Folkestone docks straight onto the motorway into nose to tail hell.

I spent a leisurely yesterday at the P+R at Canterbury and in the city reacquainting myself with fish and chips, avoiding Costa coffee (the McDonalds of the coffee world it would seem) and marvelling that I could speak to people without the need for a dictionary and hand signals.

Destination north and eventually Liverpool for the boat back to the Island on Monday and I decide to take the M25 and the Dartford crossing before taking the smaller, quieter roads.

I knew it would be busy so I did something I've never done before - I set the alarm for 3.50 am and left Canterbury (very quietly) at just after 4am this morning.

I thought the roads would be empty but no, they were absolutely bouncing and, by the time I passed the Dartford crossing and headed on the M25 ring road, the lorries and cars were almost at a standstill on the opposite carriageway coming into London.

This was about 5am in the morning and the roads were packed with people starting their day. God only knows what it must be like at 9am.

I've never thought of myself as a good driver but today as I was changing lanes and bringing overtaken and undertaken by eighteen wheelers and keeping my cool I did suddenly realise that I'm not so bad after all - so it was a good lesson for me.

But really, what is happening to us on this Island - all this rushing and congestion and having a life where you have to get up at four in the morning just to get to work on time. For it it was a choice but I really felt for those on the other side.

Anyway - I'm tired - I'm going to bed - but I just thought I'd throw this out there…

Try driving in Manila that would make your ar$e twitch
Brian & Jo

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[EuroTrotters]

I'm sorry but what the OP is describing is simply the traffic congestion suffered by every major city in the world, on every continent.
It's nothing to do with Britain being over crowded, or immigration.
It's because London is a major city & that means traffic congestion.

Rubbish.

Over crowded, too many people having large families, funded by us the taxpayer in the most part.

Come to work with me for a day.

Lack of investment in infrastructure, shockingly expensive and poor public transport system. People who want to live in leafy suburbs that work in Cities and commute 1,000's of miles yearly.

in 1997. I could leave Speke (Liverpool) at 4:30 and be in Stockport, 40 miles way in around 30 mins.
I would be lucky to get from Manchester Airport to Stockport (8 miles) in 45 mins at that time in 2017

 

[Dazzlin]

I am proud to be British and love the island.

When we come back to the UK, it's not just that the roads are crowded, that we notice , but the fact that a large amount of the population are oversized that makes it feel crowded.
And a lot of people are bloody miserable compared with the population on mainland europe.

3 weeks til we are back!

 

[EuroTrotters]

Over crowded, too many people having large families, funded by us the taxpayer in the most part.

Come to work with me for a day.

Lack of investment in infrastructure, shockingly expensive and poor public transport system. People who want to live in leafy suburbs that work in Cities and commute 1,000's of miles yearly.

in 1997. I could leave Speke (Liverpool) at 4:30 and be in Stockport, 40 miles way in around 30 mins.
I would be lucky to get from Manchester Airport to Stockport (8 miles) in 45 mins at that time in 2017

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[Snowbird]

I know the roads are overcrowded, but has anyone noticed the shocking state of repair of them recently. We in Liverpool no longer require sleeping policemen and traffic calming. Potholes everywhere and the road surface is so bad in places the cobble stones are showing through. On the odd occasion they do repairs its only a patch job and a couple of weeks later its as bad again.

 

[beerdrinker1]

W

been overcrowded for years .
as a kid used to go abroad in m,homes with my parents even in the early 60,s when you came back it was busy compared to france spain .
but then they are 3 times bigger or there abouts . germany even poland much bigger .
but move off the main roads uk can be a pleasure .
it does seem most in uk want to travel at the max speed on any road . never look around and see the beauty of england .
i say use smaller non main roads slow down and enjoy the drive . be prepared to stop look at scenery . its not better anywhere in the world .
just different.
all through the night trucks are moving your food and goods .
i used to night trunk so i can say driving from cornwall to birmingham and back every night can get a bit boring . but so can here to london and back.
mind food is brought even from africa by trucks . uk just cant grow etc enough food never mind other things . clothes furniture . even london under ground trains , have followed them from portugal many a time .

Bloody good interesting post Alan, hopefully will give lots of people a different outlook, perspective and desire to do things differently once in a while, hope your keeping well my friend !.

 

[sedge]

I know the roads are overcrowded, but has anyone noticed the shocking state of repair of them recently.

We were discussing this very thing earlier today. Oooh look! - the manholes all along this stretch of dual carriageway have sunk yet again, and yet they only closed the road the other month for resurfacing again. Whoever would have imagined that a constant stream of 44 ton fully loaded artics driving along there, going to all the big industrial premises on the industrial estate which the road was built to service (as well as take the existing traffic to other locations) that they're planning on making even bigger - could possibly ever do a thing like that?

I don't call that short-sighted - I call it totally blind.

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