Avoiding M25 on 27th (Slough -> Luton Airport)

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Wed 25 Jul 2012 12:30
Avoiding M25 on 27th (Slough -> Luton Airport) - lukeuk

Dear colleagues,

I would like to ask for an advice. What would be the best way to get to the Luton Airport on 27th. Apparently it's going to be a challenging day for M25 and I should avoid this motorway. Does anybody know what would be a reasonable alternative route?

Thank you

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Wed 25 Jul 2012 12:44
Avoiding M25 on 27th (Slough -> Luton Airport) - FP

I'm close to Luton Airport and have used it quite a lot recently, so here's some advice for the end of the journey:

LA can be pretty much a nightmare to get into - even though roads have been reconfigured, they can't cope with the volume of traffic at peak times (i.e. mornings from 8 am). If you're arriving during one of these, allow LOTS of time to do the last couple of miles. If you're just dropping off, follow the signs to the drop-off point, where you may wait for only a few minutes and must put £1 into a machine before the barrier will allow you out.

If you're doing on-site parking, you've still got to go through most of the traffic. If you park off-site, the bus getting you to the airport also has to negotiate the same traffic. The same goes for taxis. There are plenty of tales of people getting out and walking the last few hundred metres.

From Slough, I'm a bit rusty - but I would tentatively suggest Beaconsfield, Amersham, Chesham, Hemel Hempstead then M1 to Luton. Could still be a nightmare, though.

Edited by FP on 25/07/2012 at 12:50

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Thu 26 Jul 2012 11:14
Avoiding M25 on 27th (Slough -> Luton Airport) - lukeuk

Thank you for your advice

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Thu 26 Jul 2012 12:41
Avoiding M25 on 27th (Slough -> Luton Airport) - Honestjohn

The route that FP suggests takes a very long time. I know. 've had to use ir many times when the M25 was blocked. I have to take the same route as Lukeuk tomorrow. Unless I divert M40, A43, M1. But that doesn't help Lukeuk.

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Thu 26 Jul 2012 17:17
Avoiding M25 on 27th (Slough -> Luton Airport) - KB.

I'm leaving the Westcountry and will travel on the A303, A30, M3 just after midnight tonight (Thurs 26th) hoping to be at the M25 by about 3.30am and then hoping to go clockwise round towards M11 & A127 etc and hoping to be able to exit J27 (Loughton turn off) at around 4.30am. Theses timings based on previous journey times BUT never on the date of an Olympic Opening Ceremony!

Have thereafter to be in and around Ilford and Romford during the day (Friday 27th)

Am I being realistic - or foolish to even attempt it. It's a one off, never to be repeated, family occasion so wouldn't want to missit.

Appreciate advice and sorry not to be of any help re. Luton

Edited by KB. on 26/07/2012 at 17:20

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Thu 26 Jul 2012 19:10
Avoiding M25 on 27th (Slough -> Luton Airport) - FP

I would think at the time you're travelling the M25 should be pretty quiet. Enjoy your day! (Sure you'll be awake for it?)

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Thu 26 Jul 2012 19:33
Avoiding M25 on 27th (Slough -> Luton Airport) - KB.

"I would think at the time you're travelling the M25 should be pretty quiet. Enjoy your day!"

Thanks.

"Sure you'll be awake for it?".........we'll swap driving - so can doze for an hour....ideally with the passenger keeping an eye open while the driver nods off for a while...

I'm reminded of Father Ted.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb0oksLANEY ( scroll forward to 50 seconds in)

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Thu 26 Jul 2012 19:06
Avoiding M25 on 27th (Slough -> Luton Airport) - FP

"The route that FP suggests takes a very long time."

I agree, but HJ seems to agree that that is the alternative to the M25.

The problems are: Amersham into Chesham - slowish at the best of times. Chesham itself - small but very congested town centre. Chesham into HH - slow from Box Lane onwards, plus negotiating the Magic Roundabout (not difficult, but slow) and again slow getting on to the M1. Thereafter pretty easy until the last bit - do allow much more time than you think; you can always relax over a coffee once you're through security.

The plus side: mile after mile of gorgeous countryside - classic Chilterns.

Edited by FP on 26/07/2012 at 19:06

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