Travelling the A303?

[saleen836]

Have fun! Today they have closed for a month the A303 in both directions for what they describe as 'major roadworks' I believe it is closed West Knoyle and Mere as they direct you off where the A303 runs over the A350 (they have temp traffic lights at the junction on the A350), the diversion route is approx 12miles into Shaftesbury then into Gillingham before rejoining the A303, apparently 30,000 vehicles a day use the A303 so that is a lot of extra traffic going to be using the A350 in to Shaftesbury/Gillingham!

[Nick_F]

There eastbound diversion is different - starts from Podimore on the A37, except for HGVs.

When's Easter?

[saleen836]

Nick_F said:

There eastbound diversion is different - starts from Podimore on the A37, except for HGVs.

When's Easter?

It is indeed, found that out earlier as they had it on the news along with saying originally it was going to be closed for 14 weeks!!

[becksW]

Better warn my Dad about that, when he's back from hols. He drives lorries and I know he uses that route on and off.

Thanks for the warning

[mep12345]

I drove the east bound diversion yesterday - to cover the same distance as would normally take 25 mins took 1hr 15 mins and I started the diversion as 6:45 am so there was very little traffic (it is only meant to add 12.5 miles but I think it adds nearer 20 and the road means speeds are around 35mph average even with no traffic as opposed to 55-60 average on that bit of the A303). The diversion is TOTALLY unsuitable for HGVs with some very serious inclines and narrow roads through small villages. I await the first Czechoslovakian lorry to get stuck and block the only route round with baited breath!!!!

[TheLurker]

Was driving on the A350 from Warmonster to Shaftesbury last week when I met the traffic coming of the 303. Absolote nightmare. The diversion is not a good road normaly, but with all the extra traffic plus HGVs...

I feel sorry for the people who have to commute each day!

[saleen836]

TheLurker said:

Was driving on the A350 from Warmonster to Shaftesbury last week when I met the traffic coming of the 303. Absolote nightmare. The diversion is not a good road normaly, but with all the extra traffic plus HGVs...

I feel sorry for the people who have to commute each day!

I was lucky and finished a job in Blandford the day they closed the A303! there have been a few accidents on the A350 causing that road to be closed for a while all due to the volume of traffic

[alfa pint]

Came back from Portsmouth yesterday using the A31 / A35 that I normally use instead of the A303. Pleasantly surprised that the traffic wasn't any worse than normal. I guess more people are using the motorways instead.

[Lagdti]

I live in Gillingham and travel to Blandford for work,the last week or so has been good fun.

All I hope is that they manage to get the work completed before Easter because if they don't we'd might as well hibernate for the weekend!.

[MadDad]

Fantastic planning on the part of the Highways Agency again!

I travel between Reading and Torquay twice a week and vary my route between the M4/M5 and the A303. The M4 and M5 now have a total of about 40 miles of 50 mph roadworks which has added quite a chunk of time to my journey so I decided to use the A303 instead only to find that the A303 is also sh@gged!

It seems that the Highways Agency planned major roadworks for both of the major routes from London to the South West at the same time, genius!

[deeen]

Lagdti said:

I live in Gillingham and travel to Blandford for work,the last week or so has been good fun.

All I hope is that they manage to get the work completed before Easter because if they don't we'd might as well hibernate for the weekend!.

Try the C-road / B- road route via E Stour and Stur

[Steve_W]

Hmm - I have to travel down to Somerset from Reading tonight - glad I found this thread!

I presume this is the roadworks on the hill to the east of Mere then?

Instead of following the full diversion, what's to stop anyone nipping back on Westbound at Bourton, or even the B3092 west of Mere (for example)?

Maybe I'll do the M4 and come down past Chippenham/Frome/Shepton instead.

[Macey]

Maybe someone could give me the best route to St Ives from Berkshire avoiding the A303 roadworks? have a long weekend booked down there 19th - 22nd March. Quite happy to use the M4-M5 if it save sitting in traffic.

Cheers in advance

Steve

[Nick_F]

If you want a nice drive that's - relatively - traffic free then drop down to the A30 as early as you can: probably getting off the 303 at Bullington Cross and then heading for Stockbridge.

It's a bit slow, but it's pictureskew and an entertaining steer - and you can stay on it until just short of Honiton where it merges with the 303 or bail out and cut north to the 303 anywhere after Henstridge.

[Nick_F]

Recent rumour has it that the A30 is grim around the 303 diversion, so perhaps the motorway would be the better bet.

[Macey]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the help on the route, will monitor the situation and see if it improves before the 19th.

Steve

[saleen836]

Just to add there is also contraflows on the M4 with 50mph limits and average speed do-da's!

[Allyc85]

How is it going with these road works as we are hoping to go to the BTCC at Thruxton on Sunday an dont want to be leaving at stupid o'clock to miss any traffic.

[k22wes]

the 303 roadworks are all finished.

[Allyc85]

Good news, cheers