Rallyjams?

Post by **Oldmogman** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:55 pm

Could any West Country residents advise on the likely traffic situation, given that the MMOC rally is on the same weekend as the Glastonbury festival just up the road?

Any suggestions for avoiding the jams based on previous years' experience?

(I've already investigated fitting helicopter rotors to the roof of the Mog but can't work out how to turn the propshaft UJ through 90 degrees...)

Post by **LouiseM** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:33 pm

I'm not a West country resident but have been to Glastonbury several times. Thursday night and most of Friday are the peak times for festival goers to arrive and sunday evening / Monday morning for departures. Traffic is usually very heavy on the A303 so I'd avoid that if at all possible if you're travelling during those times. Likewise the M4. Both are likely to have jams.

If you let us know where you're travelling from and when it would help in highlighting any known blackspots. Try to plan a route that avoids any of the main roads heading towards Shepton Mallet if you can. And make sure you have enough oil, water, food & drink with you in case you get stuck

Post by **eastona** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:16 pm

I'm not local, but I travel to yeovil quite regularly and was with a few locals today (I'm down there tomorrow as it happens).

They've advised coming off the M5 at junction 25 (Taunton) taking the A358 then the A303 (at least to get to Yeovil while Glasto is on).

I guess that may be better (almost certainly) than coming off any further North and having to go past all the festival traffic.

You always have the option of going into Yeovil on the A3088 and out the other end on the A359 to make it up to Sparkford, avoiding a potentially busy bit of the A303.

Coming fromthe East, not sure, but I can guess the A303 will be pretty busy coming from the East, so the A30 may be a better route.

I'm not Sally Traffic and I'm no expert, but the advice about a flask and sarnies is worth taking!

good luck

Andrew

Post by **Oldmogman** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:00 pm

Thanks guys

I'm travelling from Maidenhead, Berks, and the AA routefinder directed me along the M4, down the (I think) A34, and along the A303.

I would guess the A303 is going to be the worst part, so if I could avoid that...

So how gruesome is the Glastonbury traffic early on Saturday morning?

Post by **pao7psb** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:08 pm

Similar route to me, I'm coming from Aylesbury so going Aylesbury to Bicester, A34 then A303.

I'm planning on leaving Aylesbury around 7am.

I'm a bit worried about overheating ion traffic - I tried to get my radiator cap off the other day but couldn't

, although I wasn't trying to force it too hard - is there a technique?

Cheers,

Paul.

Post by **eastona** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:25 pm

push down and turn counter clockwise

andrew

Post by **LouiseM** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:34 am

So how gruesome is the Glastonbury traffic early on Saturday morning?

Probably not too bad at all. Just seen a news report stating that over half of the 137,000 Glastonbury attendees are already on site, having arrived early due to the good weather. It offically opens tonight and (particularly in view of how expensive the tickets were) I doubt many would want to miss out by arriving half way through the festival. Last night traffic was apparently particularly heavy on the M5 and there were delays of up to an hour on the A303. Just hope that the other 60,000 attendees aren't all travelling on the A303 today

Post by **8009STEVE** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:10 am

All the jams on the 303 are where the two lanes merge into one. The main one is at Stonehenge. There are two other sections (don't quote me). Coming from M4, Best route IS A34/A303. Coming from M5, as stated, best is Jcn 25 A358/A303. Forget A3088. south Coast, A35/A37/A303.
When leaving, A303 as you are ahead of Glasto.

Post by **8009STEVE** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:12 am

Another possible is A30 Salisbury-Yeovil, but it is all single carriageway

Post by **Judge** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:50 am

Although I have just heard a report of hour and a half delays on some roads heading to Glastonbury, it's the weather that seems to look a little more iffy.

Post by **8009STEVE** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:56 am

Coming from A303, we are before Glasto.

I heard a forecast at 02.30 a.m. Friday Torrential Thunder, Sat Showers, Sun Good. All 3 days hot and muggy.

BUT

That is for Glasto. We are 5ish miles from Glasto.

Post by **Judge** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:11 am

Yes it's Friday evening that looks bad, but Saturday and Sunday look good. Weather has never stopped me anyway

Post by **RussLCV** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:07 am

Hello Guys I am coming form Cardiff and wondered if I caome vis Bristol and athe A37 down?

I am staying in Bristol Sat Night so will be suing that route on Sat from the national and back Sunday will that have any problems?

Thanks and any information welcome

See ya on Saturday

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:38 pm

I'm going to head down the A303 from Reading, via Basingstoke, on Friday afternoon and hope for the best.

Post by **egsj** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:50 pm

I'm coming from Bristol on the A37 too. Saturday morning. Might do a dog-leg on B-roads around Shepton Mallet, just in case.

Watch out for a very sharp left bend on the A37 when you come out of Pensford (just outside Bristol). I mangaged to over-steer, over-compensate and fish-tail my moggie off the road there last year. Many others have done the same - hence a hole in the wall that takes you down into a bank of trees. Not nice. Take it steady!

Best,
Jamesy

Post by **Oldmogman** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:59 pm

Thanks for your travel tips everyone.

An alternative route from the east I've been looking at is to stay on the M4 until J17 then pick up the A350, which just leaves me a little bit of the A303.

Does anybody in the local area know if that's a good route to miss the jams?

I'll probably check the traffic reports first thing Sat and then decide.

By the way, I've not pre-booked for the MMOC Rally so does anyone know if it's OK for me to turn up on Sat am and camp for the night?

cheers all

PJ

Post by **heathy12** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:16 pm

Anyone travelling down who wants a cuppa at Gordano j 19 services M5 then gimmie a shout, live two mins round the corner!

Will anyone be passing Gordano on Sat morning....Ill be leaving then if you fancy a bit of company on the road!

Ad

Post by **RussLCV** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 pm

Iam coming from Cardiff is Bristol my best bet and then A37 down or will I hit traffic?

M5 to junc 25 seems a long way to me any advice welcome

Post by **badobsession** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:20 pm

we are leaving now (well as soon as gary gets back from tesco)
be traveling down over night
do not know when we will hit m5
but look out for us .
what is the best way in to avoid the glost traffic m5 then what???