Ogmore by Sea to Cardiff
Discussion
It's not a drive I'd particularly want to do as the back lanes are slow and painful pothole-wise, the A48 is slow since they seem to be determined to reduce the speed on pretty much all of it in the VoG and the M4 is not much better. Depends where to where really and timings (if traditional rush hour). That being said, if you like being near the sea it's a lovely part of the country that is relatively unspoiled.
It's quite a drive to North Cardiff from there.
I live in the bay and it my parents were looking at a house in Ogmore. It took us a good 40 minutes to get there on a Sunday in light traffic. As has been said, the A48 gets full quickly, and Culverhouse Cross roundabout will be busy too.
Best I can suggest is that you try the drive during rush hour one day, just to see what it's actually like.
I live in the bay and it my parents were looking at a house in Ogmore. It took us a good 40 minutes to get there on a Sunday in light traffic. As has been said, the A48 gets full quickly, and Culverhouse Cross roundabout will be busy too.
Best I can suggest is that you try the drive during rush hour one day, just to see what it's actually like.
It's not the end of the world driving, but realistically it's probably going to be an hour door to door on a good day, which would annoy me for circa 20 miles. I'd forget about public transport though, as that will be a lot slower and much more expensive from Ogmore to Llanishen.
Edited by tpp_uk on Monday 9th February 15:11
Yeah public transport isn't an option for Llanishen but I might be relocaitng to the city centre so a train from Bridgend or Pencoed becomes more viable then.
I thought it may be an hour Ogmore to Llanishen. My current commute is 15-20 mins so quite a change but what price living next to a beach?
Decisions, decisions!
I thought it may be an hour Ogmore to Llanishen. My current commute is 15-20 mins so quite a change but what price living next to a beach?
Decisions, decisions!
Not having done it myself, but I still don't think you manage much under an hour for Bridgend to the city centre by train.
Commuting issue aside, I'd live there in a heartbeat, but make sure you have double / triple glazing and a thick coat! I had trouble opening the car door the other week at Southerndown the wind was so flipping strong!
Commuting issue aside, I'd live there in a heartbeat, but make sure you have double / triple glazing and a thick coat! I had trouble opening the car door the other week at Southerndown the wind was so flipping strong!
jmorgan said:
Bridgend to Cardiff central station is 20-30 mins. Usually. Parking in Bridgend can be on the street if you know where. Problem with the A48 is Culverhouse Cross and the new lights on the A48 and bumbling 40mph everywhere.
I might pm you for those Bridgend parking details if my job moves to Cardiff city centre! I hope it does. 20mins Ogmore to Bridgend and 20 mins on the train seems like a decent commute to me. If we stick in Llanishen for work then it's a bugger of a journey to Pencoed and joining the M4. I'm quite flexible with my hours though so could leave Ogmore at 7am or so or 9am.
We shall see.
phil_cardiff said:
jmorgan said:
Bridgend to Cardiff central station is 20-30 mins. Usually. Parking in Bridgend can be on the street if you know where. Problem with the A48 is Culverhouse Cross and the new lights on the A48 and bumbling 40mph everywhere.
I might pm you for those Bridgend parking details if my job moves to Cardiff city centre! I hope it does. 20mins Ogmore to Bridgend and 20 mins on the train seems like a decent commute to me. If we stick in Llanishen for work then it's a bugger of a journey to Pencoed and joining the M4. I'm quite flexible with my hours though so could leave Ogmore at 7am or so or 9am.
We shall see.
jmorgan said:
phil_cardiff said:
jmorgan said:
Bridgend to Cardiff central station is 20-30 mins. Usually. Parking in Bridgend can be on the street if you know where. Problem with the A48 is Culverhouse Cross and the new lights on the A48 and bumbling 40mph everywhere.
I might pm you for those Bridgend parking details if my job moves to Cardiff city centre! I hope it does. 20mins Ogmore to Bridgend and 20 mins on the train seems like a decent commute to me. If we stick in Llanishen for work then it's a bugger of a journey to Pencoed and joining the M4. I'm quite flexible with my hours though so could leave Ogmore at 7am or so or 9am.
We shall see.
Aye. Used to be a roundabout without lights and the traffic flowed. Then the local council got a job lot in traffic light poles and went mad on that one, and the Waterton one, next big on east bound on the A 48. Those two combined, it can take me 20 mins now to get to the motorway at Pencoed. Sometimes quicker to go to Pyle junction and head east that way. Apparently there was an accident on the water ton roundabout in 1976 or something.
Edit. Better qualify some of this with that roundabout. I live on west of that roundabout, so my journey to the M way ifs west to east through that junction. I have odd hours as well so mostly can avoid rush hours. The hassle is west to east in the mornings. You would be south to north and that I do not know much about though when I have turned left (heading north as if you have crossed that junction) it seems OK. I do not know how much it backs up heading from Ogmore, Sotherndown, wick etc.
Where I would go to park, I turn off before that but you would go south to north through it. Once past that roundabout I think it is OK. That particular junction I would say 7:30 through 9 for busy. 8 through 9 for the worst. Sure someone else can chip in there as I have learned to avoid it but try looking on a on line map with traffic functions.
Compared to the M6 past Brum in rush hour (if there is one!), it is nothing I suppose. I would guess that catching the 7 am train for example would be a doddle. Thought travel time, walk into station would be 1/2 hour ish.
I suppose you have to off set your travel time with the location, that is can you enjoy it. The area around there is superb for walks etc. if that is your want. The dune system to the west, over the river, is great. Couple of castles, stepping stones to get across a river. To the east is Southerndown and so on, with the Wales coast path and more stunning scenery.
Trains wise the intercity to London from west Wales are usually on time, 20-25 mins as advertised on national rail. They are just starting so not had time to get delayed. Arriva trains run local and further services so getting to Cardiff and home is never an issue unless you work stupid hours. Llantwit Major, as mentioned, rail journeys showing 48 mins on line.
Maybe drive the route for an idea on a day off.
Edit. Better qualify some of this with that roundabout. I live on west of that roundabout, so my journey to the M way ifs west to east through that junction. I have odd hours as well so mostly can avoid rush hours. The hassle is west to east in the mornings. You would be south to north and that I do not know much about though when I have turned left (heading north as if you have crossed that junction) it seems OK. I do not know how much it backs up heading from Ogmore, Sotherndown, wick etc.
Where I would go to park, I turn off before that but you would go south to north through it. Once past that roundabout I think it is OK. That particular junction I would say 7:30 through 9 for busy. 8 through 9 for the worst. Sure someone else can chip in there as I have learned to avoid it but try looking on a on line map with traffic functions.
Compared to the M6 past Brum in rush hour (if there is one!), it is nothing I suppose. I would guess that catching the 7 am train for example would be a doddle. Thought travel time, walk into station would be 1/2 hour ish.
I suppose you have to off set your travel time with the location, that is can you enjoy it. The area around there is superb for walks etc. if that is your want. The dune system to the west, over the river, is great. Couple of castles, stepping stones to get across a river. To the east is Southerndown and so on, with the Wales coast path and more stunning scenery.
Trains wise the intercity to London from west Wales are usually on time, 20-25 mins as advertised on national rail. They are just starting so not had time to get delayed. Arriva trains run local and further services so getting to Cardiff and home is never an issue unless you work stupid hours. Llantwit Major, as mentioned, rail journeys showing 48 mins on line.
Maybe drive the route for an idea on a day off.
Edited by jmorgan on Tuesday 10th February 06:48
I used (several years ago now) to commute from Ewenny to Treforest (probably similar distance and roads) and it would take 30-40mins most days. However, I've since moved and this was before Ewenny roundabout had its added traffic lights, which going by the above, could definitely put your commute close to the hour mark.
jmorgan said:
Aye. Used to be a roundabout without lights and the traffic flowed. Then the local council got a job lot in traffic light poles and went mad on that one, and the Waterton one, next big on east bound on the A 48. Those two combined, it can take me 20 mins now to get to the motorway at Pencoed. Sometimes quicker to go to Pyle junction and head east that way. Apparently there was an accident on the water ton roundabout in 1976 or something.
Before the introduction of lights, Ewenny roundabout was a junction with no real issues. Now it's bloody dangerous. I heard that they were using statistics from Laleston or Stormy Down direction to justify the lights, but who knows! It's all about control. The traffic flows nicely whenever the lights are out, and that applies to both roundabouts.SAB888 said:
jmorgan said:
Aye. Used to be a roundabout without lights and the traffic flowed. Then the local council got a job lot in traffic light poles and went mad on that one, and the Waterton one, next big on east bound on the A 48. Those two combined, it can take me 20 mins now to get to the motorway at Pencoed. Sometimes quicker to go to Pyle junction and head east that way. Apparently there was an accident on the water ton roundabout in 1976 or something.
Before the introduction of lights, Ewenny roundabout was a junction with no real issues. Now it's bloody dangerous. I heard that they were using statistics from Laleston or Stormy Down direction to justify the lights, but who knows! It's all about control. The traffic flows nicely whenever the lights are out, and that applies to both roundabouts.SAB888 said:
jmorgan said:
Aye. Used to be a roundabout without lights and the traffic flowed. Then the local council got a job lot in traffic light poles and went mad on that one, and the Waterton one, next big on east bound on the A 48. Those two combined, it can take me 20 mins now to get to the motorway at Pencoed. Sometimes quicker to go to Pyle junction and head east that way. Apparently there was an accident on the water ton roundabout in 1976 or something.
Before the introduction of lights, Ewenny roundabout was a junction with no real issues. Now it's bloody dangerous. I heard that they were using statistics from Laleston or Stormy Down direction to justify the lights, but who knows! It's all about control. The traffic flows nicely whenever the lights are out, and that applies to both roundabouts.Did a trial run on Wednesday.
Left Ogmore beach at 07:45, arrived at my work car park in Llanishen at 08:30. I observed every speed limit on the way too and my 2.5 even managed to return 36mpg. The worst part was Coryton and Rhiwbina. Oh, and the plum who pulled out of lane 2 at 45mph into the space I'd left for braking when I was doing 65mph by the Cardiff West junction.
I now understand what you mean about the Ewenny roundabout. No need for lights in my opinion.
Left Ogmore beach at 07:45, arrived at my work car park in Llanishen at 08:30. I observed every speed limit on the way too and my 2.5 even managed to return 36mpg. The worst part was Coryton and Rhiwbina. Oh, and the plum who pulled out of lane 2 at 45mph into the space I'd left for braking when I was doing 65mph by the Cardiff West junction.
I now understand what you mean about the Ewenny roundabout. No need for lights in my opinion.
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