coming up the a1 last night(thursday) on my way from alconbury up to doncaster in my empty truck(will become clear in a mo),the a1 without any prior warning was closed from the a606 turning at stamford.now,i dont think there was an accident,anyway i reckon the diversion was 30-35 miles long.it took us all out to oakam,then up to melton mowbray,then back along the a607 towards grantham.it even took us through picturesque villages with thatched cottages(occupants trying to sleep whilst the entire contents of a1 traffic rolled through their hamlets),with very low trees(pleased i was empty).and for good measure,and just to keep us all on our toes,every so often the roadworks crew decided not to put any diversion signs up at all at some roundabouts and junctions(2 lead trucks took the wrong roads),and ended up at the back of our ever growing snake 
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i think this diversion in terms of distance was a bit excessive.anyone else done similiar huge diversion routes 
There was some road works in colchester a few months ago. There was a sign that said “… (can’t remember the name) Road closed access via Middlesborough” now THAT is a diversion!
The A1 must be famous for this; I once went to Nottingham, up the A1 and then A52 from Grantham was the plan. A52 closed, diversion via Newark o.T., 30+ miles.
The A14 was closed recently between Godmanchester and Alconbury, diversion via Papworth and St.Neots, 27 miles. Followed it, idiot, should have gone through Huntingdon and Brampton.
The same diversion was in place when there were roadworks on the A1 between St. Neots and Alconbury.
The longest diversion I drove was in Germany, approching Nurnberg (heading west), A3 clogged up between Nurnberg and Erlangen, sent onto A6 and then upthe A7 to Wurzburg, about 150km (93 miles).
(But perhaps the original distance should be subtracted from the diversion length, to make it more objective)
when the servern bridge is closed the m50 diversion must be a good few miles…
Depending on how long the closed section is I would’ve been tempted to turn right in Empingham (by the pub, The White Horse I think), signed Exton, which would’ve brought you out by Woolfox Depot. It’s a smallish road but bug enough for a truck and not weight limited.
Coming down the A1M a few weeks ago, there was a diversion . . . . . . right around Doncaster!! Added ages to the journey as it was stop-start congestion all the way. Bearing in mind that was night-time, I can’t imagine what a PITA it would’ve been at a ‘busy’ time of day!!
buck rogers:
coming up the a1 last night(thursday) on my way from alconbury up to doncaster in my empty truck(will become clear in a mo),the a1 without any prior warning was closed from the a606 turning at stamford.now,i dont think there was an accident,anyway i reckon the diversion was 30-35 miles long.it took us all out to oakam,then up to melton mowbray,then back along the a607 towards grantham.it even took us through picturesque villages with thatched cottages(occupants trying to sleep whilst the entire contents of a1 traffic rolled through their hamlets),with very low trees(pleased i was empty).and for good measure,and just to keep us all on our toes,every so often the roadworks crew decided not to put any diversion signs up at all at some roundabouts and junctions(2 lead trucks took the wrong roads),and ended up at the back of our ever growing snake
i think this diversion in terms of distance was a bit excessive.anyone else done similiar huge diversion routes
I think I had something similar in reverse a couple of years ago, driving for Tesco. Went to Lincoln, tipped, came back and, voila! it was nearly daylight by the time I got back to Peterborough…good job ti was Sunday…double bubble 
buck rogers:
coming up the a1 last night(thursday) on my way from alconbury up to doncaster in my empty truck(will become clear in a mo),the a1 without any prior warning was closed from the a606 turning at stamford.now,i dont think there was an accident,anyway i reckon the diversion was 30-35 miles long.it took us all out to oakam,then up to melton mowbray,then back along the a607 towards grantham.
This is a quite popular night - time diversion route, probably for road works.
You can continue on the A606 through Melton Mowbray to join the A46, regaining the A1 further north
at Newark.
Alternatively, after joining the A46, take the A6097 then the A614 which joins the A1 even further
north at the Worksop Roundabout. (It’s still there!).
But beware,there are a couple of bridges about 15 footish at Ollerton on this latter route.
not really the right forum, but ask pete stackhouse about the length of diversion (or strictly speaking re-tracing your route) when you THINK there’s a bridge over the Volga down near it’s delta, but there isn’t 
This road is closed every night till 30th.
marcustandy:
Depending on how long the closed section is I would’ve been tempted to turn right in Empingham (by the pub, The White Horse I think), signed Exton, which would’ve brought you out by Woolfox Depot. It’s a smallish road but bug enough for a truck and not weight limited.
i always thought that road that a 78.5t weight limit.■■ 
Cruise Control:
i always thought that road that a 78.5t weight limit.■■
You’ll be alright in a 44 tonner then!! 
I didn’t think it was, although it was back in 2000 when I was using it regularly. I have just had a look using Google Streetview and it appears you’re right. 
7.5ton limit ‘except for access’
marcustandy:
Cruise Control:
i always thought that road that a 78.5t weight limit.■■You’ll be alright in a 44 tonner then!!
I didn’t think it was, although it was back in 2000 when I was using it regularly. I have just had a look using Google Streetview and it appears you’re right.
corrected that for ya mate.
Well a while back the M5 south was shut jn 14…
Diversion was signed to exit jn 11a follow A417 to Cirencester then 419 to Swindon and back onto the M4 west to rejoin at the M4 / M5 intersection
Approx 75miles
Yeah I did complain and had ago at my local councl head knob somuch for being green.
Diversion should have been jn 14 A38 rejoin at jn 16 not much more than a mile diff and 10 min extra on top do the math cause highways police and local Gov cant 