A roads

How many of you will divert off the motorway and drive on a single carriageway A road through choice? I was diverted off the M6 at J11 on Thursday night and diverted via Wolverhampton, and by the time I was in Wolverhampton I realised it would be as quick to go via Worcester and pick up the M5 there, instead of following the official diversion up to J10. Surprisingly, the whole trip (Cannock to Gloucester) was actually only about 20 minutes slower than banging straight down the motorway, even sticking to the 40mph limit. Likewise, I sometimes run up the A46 from Tewkesbury to Warwick, just because I can. I quite enjoy coming off the motorway sometimes.
Does anyone else drive A roads through choice, rather than necessity?

tend to get there as quick as possible , its why we are given the work . however during the better weather I will often get the map out and plan a scenic route home :slight_smile: just to add its mainly van and 7.5t work so no real worries about getting stuck somewhere I shouldn’t be .

Rhythm Thief:
How many of you will divert off the motorway and drive on a single carriageway A road through choice? I was diverted off the M6 at J11 on Thursday night and diverted via Wolverhampton, and by the time I was in Wolverhampton I realised it would be as quick to go via Worcester and pick up the M5 there, instead of following the official diversion up to J10. Surprisingly, the whole trip (Cannock to Gloucester) was actually only about 20 minutes slower than banging straight down the motorway, even sticking to the 40mph limit. Likewise, I sometimes run up the A46 from Tewkesbury to Warwick, just because I can. I quite enjoy coming off the motorway sometimes.
Does anyone else drive A roads through choice, rather than necessity?

Yup, often, same one you mention usually Ashchurch - Warwick stretch of the A46 instead of the M5 (or in reverse). I’m headed for Bath/Bristol tonight from Coventry, it’ll be ‘planned’ M5/M4 I’ll be going Fosse/A433/A46. Spend enough time on dark motorways - a change is as good as a rest.

Going from Lancashire-Luton-Lancashire every night, I’ve found it quite a nice change going up the M42/A38/A5 instead of the roadwork carnage on the M6 through Birmingham, most of which is shut every night. Either this or carry on up the M1 and go along the A50, great road at night, almost deserted… So long as someone hasn’t overturned at the Blyth Bridge roundabout :unamused:

how highs the bridge nr Kemble

I do as often as possible. Much prefer single carriageway roads to duals or motorway esoecially at top weight. Feel the motor working and telling it what to do rather than cruise control and point it.

FLIP:
I do as often as possible. Much prefer single carriageway roads to duals or motorway esoecially at top weight. Feel the motor working and telling it what to do rather than cruise control and point it.

You’ll love Norfolk and Suffolk then.

In the 90s on a Friday when loaded in myther Tydfil[20 ton tinplate]I used to regularly run A roads up to m62 at warrington mainly a49,pleasant run and sometimes quicker on a Friday a/noon than a465,a40,m50,m5, m6.
regards dave.

waddy640:

FLIP:
I do as often as possible. Much prefer single carriageway roads to duals or motorway esoecially at top weight. Feel the motor working and telling it what to do rather than cruise control and point it.

You’ll love Norfolk and Suffolk then.

Sure do but north and western Scotland, Mid and north Wales,Devon,
Dorset,Somerset and Cornwall are even better
Yorkshire dales and the lake district are good driving country too

Rhythm Thief:
How many of you will divert off the motorway and drive on a single carriageway A road through choice? I was diverted off the M6 at J11 on Thursday night and diverted via Wolverhampton, and by the time I was in Wolverhampton I realised it would be as quick to go via Worcester and pick up the M5 there, instead of following the official diversion up to J10. Surprisingly, the whole trip (Cannock to Gloucester) was actually only about 20 minutes slower than banging straight down the motorway, even sticking to the 40mph limit. Likewise, I sometimes run up the A46 from Tewkesbury to Warwick, just because I can. I quite enjoy coming off the motorway sometimes.
Does anyone else drive A roads through choice, rather than necessity?

Er there was no diversion at 11 till you went half way round the RA then it was sending you back up to 12 :question: :question: .
The 2 workers in the van didn’t give a flyin ■■■■ and rang highways to question their diversion …

Took my own route like many others

Jn 11 2nd exit A462 Willenhall - Walsall B4210
just follow and pick up M6 it’ll bring you back on at 10 takes 10mins longer than Mway and is suitable for all types and Heights … ( I took a DD through NO problems ).

nick2008:
Took my own route like many others

Jn 11 2nd exit A462 Willenhall - Walsall B4210
just follow and pick up M6 it’ll bring you back on at 10 takes 10mins longer than Mway and is suitable for all types and Heights … ( I took a DD through NO problems ).

That’s what I’m doing too, either that or the A34 from Great Wyrley. But I enjoyed the run down the A449 on Thursday night.

Rhythm Thief:
How many of you will divert off the motorway and drive on a single carriageway A road through choice? I was diverted off the M6 at J11 on Thursday night and diverted via Wolverhampton, and by the time I was in Wolverhampton I realised it would be as quick to go via Worcester and pick up the M5 there, instead of following the official diversion up to J10. Surprisingly, the whole trip (Cannock to Gloucester) was actually only about 20 minutes slower than banging straight down the motorway, even sticking to the 40mph limit. Likewise, I sometimes run up the A46 from Tewkesbury to Warwick, just because I can. I quite enjoy coming off the motorway sometimes.
Does anyone else drive A roads through choice, rather than necessity?

When I worked for a mob in Wolves a good few years back, I used to come off the M5 at Worcester and run up through Kidderminster back to the depot that way. Wasnt that much quicker than going up the motorway, but I preferred using the A roads because the traffic always moved. Hated sitting in the daily traffic jam where the M5 meets the M6.

If I’m in the Rugby/Coventry or Nuneaton area late afternoon I’ll go M1 A50 to avoid the Brum hell hole

FLIP:

waddy640:

FLIP:
I do as often as possible. Much prefer single carriageway roads to duals or motorway esoecially at top weight. Feel the motor working and telling it what to do rather than cruise control and point it.

You’ll love Norfolk and Suffolk then.

Sure do but north and western Scotland, Mid and north Wales,Devon,
Dorset,Somerset and Cornwall are even better
Yorkshire dales and the lake district are good driving country too

Gives you a choice of flat or hilly roads, breaks the monotony.

to take this a step further do you come off the popular A/trunk routes to go somewhere a little different

my favorite one is Sheffield - Manchester strait across at the flouch roundabout rather than left onto A628 downt the dip then left at the top over haidedge down into Holmfirth onto A635 and over saddleworth moor and through saddleworth to oldham /rochdale saves all the queing between the guninn and motttram especialy on a friday

I do farm work so probably spend more time on A, B and unclassified roads than motorways! Seperates the men from the boys!!

If I’m feeling a bit drowsy/tired from the monotony of the mway I’ll often come off and go up a a road. As soon as I’ve gone round a few corners I’m back to life again.

Anybody with the right licence can drive a lorry on a motorway. Driving on an A or B road requires a lot more skill in judging the width of the vehicle etc, but can be far more enjoyable with more variety and less boring.

Tend to stick to the easiest route when loaded at max weight so motorway/dual even if slightly longer mileage, don’t mind A roads when empty, fuel consumption takes a serious hammering if loaded plus less general lorry wear and tear.

I came back up through the Cotswolds on Friday afternoon after a delivery to Cirencester. I was only in a rigid though, but the sun was shining, the road was quiet and it took me back a few years when I was unaccompanied in Tidworth for so few months just before I went to civvy street.

Of course this was before I was driving for a living and would have been complaining if I was stuck behind something slower than me :laughing: