having got used to running Up, and Down the M1 and M6, I’ve got a run to Basingstoke in the morning… Not been on the A34 for about 20 years 
- is it any good these days (used to be a nightmare when i was travelling to Blandford during my army days)
uckna:
having got used to running Up, and Down the M1 and M6, I’ve got a run to Basingstoke in the morning… Not been on the A34 for about 20 years
The A34 is certainly better now they have the Newbury bypass!!!
I presume you’re going to use the A34 then A339 into Basingstoke?
Depends on the time of day, the worst bit is from M40 down to Didcot in rush hour… 
Get out of bed a little earlier if you can and save the stress m8 
6am start from Fradley park - was planning M40 - A34 - A339 (then a nip over to Gloucester)
no choice of start time 
Well I fear it is in the lap of the gods then! 
You should breeze thru…
The traffic gods were indeed on my side - that was a nice run today - not been down that neck of the woods in yonks…
Breezed down the M40 - nice steady run down the A34 (beat rush hour at Didcot) - Basingstoke by 8.45, then piddled about getting the right entry into Sainsbury’s - had to laugh when they sent me from gate 1 to gate 2, which then sent you past gate 1 to the unloading point…
and the run up to Gloucester was just as easy - in fact never hit any traffic till back up near Birmingham
I have of course now cursed myself for tomorrow when i make the same run
The A34 is fine until there is an accident/breakdown, then the whole world can come crumbling down and you will just sit… for hours.
Recovering/emergency services can also have a nightmare getting to the scene in some places, thus drawing everything out further.
The situation isn’t helped by the muppets who use that road, the other day I was following a short way behind a laden horsebox with two large specimens inside being towed by… a honda civic. Slowing to 35mph almost the instant it hit a hill large trucks were having to slam on to avoid it.
I actually followed them off as they took the same exit I needed, they pulled up shortly afterwards, I was tempted to go and have a word, but would have just needlessly ripped them a new one, and couldn’t be bothered with the aggro just for them to probably tell you where to shove your friendly advice.
Could be a lovely road if darwins’ people weren’t allowed to use it.