Scunthorpe V Newcastle Friday 7th August 2015 Premier League

[teddy2706]

 

Unfortunately the work to upgrade to a "Smart Motorway" is not due to finish until the Autumn. The work to replace the central barrier has finished even though they seem to be demolishing it and putting in another one, which appears to be exactly the same. But at least they are not going to make the maximum speed 60mph, which was suggested a while back

They are sawing and drilling out the recently installed concrete barrier because of, (according to the Minister of Transport) "lime contamination of the concrete which is resulting in flaking" and re-installing it again. The greatest issue of these roadworks was the decision to grant possession of sixteen miles of motorway to a contractor who appears to have insufficient staff for that length of works. Recently I passed through at 10 am on a weekday and saw 45 operatives in total including delivery lorry drivers working on a sixteen mile stretch of road. Some night working does occur, the southbound stretch was down to one lane some weeks back whilst the temporary barrier was pressure washed!

When I returned from Scunny last friday, the northbound stretch between J28-31 had several miles of stationary traffic again.

These roadworks are costing the country a great deal of money and not only government money at that, businesses must be suffering and that includes Scunthorpe speedway and Sheffield speedway too. Incidentally Millersfan444, 60mph would be considerably better than the 20-30mph that is the norm at present, particularly at J28.

Rant over!

Edited August 10, 2015 by oldsparky

[brylcream boy]

Basically my route (for anyone who cares) is: back roads of Oxfordshire going through Islip and outskirts of Bicester (therefore avoiding the A40 roadworks, A34 and M40), A43, A5 (runs parallel to M1, which has roadworks from 15A to 19), onto the M1 briefly from junctions 20 to 21A, A46 (by the time I reach the outskirts of Lincoln their rush hour is almost over), A15, and then past the steel works and Eddie Wrights

 

Rob,

Try coming off the M40 at Jct 12, Gaydon and follow the signs to the Car Heritage Museum. Continue on that road and after about 5 mins pick up the signs to Leicester (Fosse Way). Keep on this road and it will bring you out on the A5 about 5 mins from Jct 1 M69. From there pick up the M1 at Jct 20, etc. I have tried every route in the past 4 years, and this seems the best and least stressful. Also, if you look on the map there is a road that runs parallel with the A15 straight to Scunny, you come out opposite the Steel works, usually quicker.

[lucifer sam]

Rob,

Try coming off the M40 at Jct 12, Gaydon and follow the signs to the Car Heritage Museum. Continue on that road and after about 5 mins pick up the signs to Leicester (Fosse Way). Keep on this road and it will bring you out on the A5 about 5 mins from Jct 1 M69. From there pick up the M1 at Jct 20, etc. I have tried every route in the past 4 years, and this seems the best and least stressful. Also, if you look on the map there is a road that runs parallel with the A15 straight to Scunny, you come out opposite the Steel works, usually quicker.

 

Cheers, but I spent most of last year experimenting with all the possible routes, and I think I've now found the optimum to avoid congestion on a Friday night. The biggest problem is getting out of Oxfordshire!!

 

I don't touch the M40, and similarly avoid the A34 (the A34-M40 junction can be hell at around 3.30pm on a Friday afternoon). And with the Cuttleslowe roundabout roadworks on the A40, I now bypass that as well. Forunately, not many people seem to know about the Islip alternative route...

 

I know about the B road that runs parallel to the A15, and used that one time when the A15 was shut due to an accident. The A15 is fine though - and much quicker than going through Gainsbrough or up the A1 (M). The B road route is the second best to the A15.

 

All the best

Rob

Edited August 10, 2015 by lucifer sam