The North Circular (A406)
Discussion
For the first time in months I had occasion yesterday to use the North Circular between the M11 and Kew, southbound during late afternoon/early evening and for the return at around 11pm. The congestion on the southbound trip was worse than I had ever known, whether this was roadworks on adjacent roads or as a result of that nice Mr Khan's recent changes I know not but what was obvious was the huge amount of pollution that miles a semi stationary traffic was producing and which presumably gets repeated daily around knock off.
My return journey was notable in a different way. Given the profusion of speed cameras and average speed checks I stuck to the various limits which gave me time to observe the maniacal driving of the local numbnuts; their speed, total disregard for other traffic, their under/overtaking and forcing their way into impossible gaps, was simply mind-blowing. I can only imagine that they knew precisely where the cameras were or they had a stock of spare number plates. I used to travel the North Circular quite a lot in pre-camera days, the difference was that the average 18yr old then was lucky to have an Austin A35 or Morris Minor, both of which had inbuilt speed limiters, ie, the lump under the bonnet. Furthermore, we didn't have You Tube on which to upload an evening's mayhem. Then again, I might just be a sad old git.
My return journey was notable in a different way. Given the profusion of speed cameras and average speed checks I stuck to the various limits which gave me time to observe the maniacal driving of the local numbnuts; their speed, total disregard for other traffic, their under/overtaking and forcing their way into impossible gaps, was simply mind-blowing. I can only imagine that they knew precisely where the cameras were or they had a stock of spare number plates. I used to travel the North Circular quite a lot in pre-camera days, the difference was that the average 18yr old then was lucky to have an Austin A35 or Morris Minor, both of which had inbuilt speed limiters, ie, the lump under the bonnet. Furthermore, we didn't have You Tube on which to upload an evening's mayhem. Then again, I might just be a sad old git.
The A406 is a favourite for hyperaggressive manics with leased cars, something to prove and an appointment that started 2 hours ago.
I live near enough to it to know to avoid it wherever physically possible - I've never gone through without having some manner of incident or near incident occur in my vicinity.
I live near enough to it to know to avoid it wherever physically possible - I've never gone through without having some manner of incident or near incident occur in my vicinity.
When I was younger I used to enjoy dicing around the North Circ. I regularly did Walthamstow to Acton and back.
As it’s fairly close in to central London it is largely normally driven on by regulars. They know all the ins and outs, the right lanes to be in and where the cameras are.
Today I’d have to tootle around and keep out of trouble.
As it’s fairly close in to central London it is largely normally driven on by regulars. They know all the ins and outs, the right lanes to be in and where the cameras are.
Today I’d have to tootle around and keep out of trouble.
Having grown up in NW London and commuted around the North Circ for many years, I can confirm, it is an utter s**t show of a road in terms of both it's layout and the users - as pointed out earlier, one of the worst roads I have ever had the misfortune to use. And what is worse, is to think there are actually houses 4/5m away from 6 lanes of what is 24/7 traffic at 40-50mph (and the rest).....it must be an actual nightmare. As i've chugged away in traffic in the dark and rain inside lane, and look across at dingy traffic film covered houses, often with stained yellow net curtains and cars squeezed in between the bins, just meters from the kerb, i've often looked across and wondered.....why would anyone do that to themselves.
I used it regularly about 20 years ago when I lived a few yards back from the Woodford stretch (fortunately its in a cutting at that point).
Speeds of 80-90mph were quite common back then in the 50mph sections east of Chingford, other than past the cameras obviously. The A13 was much the same. I don't think I ever saw anyone who had been stopped by the police on either road - think the Met were too busy dealing with stabbings etc. to worry about a bit of speeding.
Last time I drove it about 5 years ago, I thought the driving had calmed down significantly compared to when I'd been using it regularly 15 years earlier.
Speeds of 80-90mph were quite common back then in the 50mph sections east of Chingford, other than past the cameras obviously. The A13 was much the same. I don't think I ever saw anyone who had been stopped by the police on either road - think the Met were too busy dealing with stabbings etc. to worry about a bit of speeding.
Last time I drove it about 5 years ago, I thought the driving had calmed down significantly compared to when I'd been using it regularly 15 years earlier.
MattyD803 said:
Having grown up in NW London and commuted around the North Circ for many years, I can confirm, it is an utter s**t show of a road in terms of both it's layout and the users - as pointed out earlier, one of the worst roads I have ever had the misfortune to use. And what is worse, is to think there are actually houses 4/5m away from 6 lanes of what is 24/7 traffic at 40-50mph (and the rest).....it must be an actual nightmare. As i've chugged away in traffic in the dark and rain inside lane, and look across at dingy traffic film covered houses, often with stained yellow net curtains and cars squeezed in between the bins, just meters from the kerb, i've often looked across and wondered.....why would anyone do that to themselves.
Worst part is the houses probably cost over half a million quid!Radish said:
.... The congestion on the southbound trip was worse than I had ever known, whether this was roadworks on adjacent roads or as a result of that nice Mr Khan's recent changes I know not,,,,,
What changes are those that you are referring to?Do you read The Daily Mail? Genuine question.
Radish said:
under/overtaking and forcing their way into impossible gaps, was simply mind-blowing.
It's called gapping as promoted by Certi Drivers and the like. Were the beggars out? They're mostly Bulgarian Gypsies but by Palmers Green there's an English chap with a placard that reads something about not having a job, no money and 'God Bless'. Quite a portly chap. His mate waits outside the offy for him. You often see him collect some charitable donations, divi it up with his mate and straight into the shop for a super alcoholic drink.
MattyD803 said:
Having grown up in NW London and commuted around the North Circ for many years, I can confirm, it is an utter s**t show of a road in terms of both it's layout and the users - as pointed out earlier, one of the worst roads I have ever had the misfortune to use. And what is worse, is to think there are actually houses 4/5m away from 6 lanes of what is 24/7 traffic at 40-50mph (and the rest).....it must be an actual nightmare. As i've chugged away in traffic in the dark and rain inside lane, and look across at dingy traffic film covered houses, often with stained yellow net curtains and cars squeezed in between the bins, just meters from the kerb, i've often looked across and wondered.....why would anyone do that to themselves.
Another NW Londoner here. In addition to the road itself you have comedy junctions like Henley's cover (A406 / A1) where you need to brave 4 traffic lights to turn right. Inevitably some cars don't get all the way across and block the road and the whole thing grinds to a halt.The Hangar lane junction further West is mayhem - cars on the right turning left and vice versa.
I think most of the houses are let to people for short term work...very few locals would buy or rent one of them. A 3 bed goes for about 400k, probably the price of a 1 bed in an 'ok' area.
hungry_hog said:
Another NW Londoner here. In addition to the road itself you have comedy junctions like Henley's cover (A406 / A1) where you need to brave 4 traffic lights to turn right. Inevitably some cars don't get all the way across and block the road and the whole thing grinds to a halt.
The Hangar lane junction further West is mayhem - cars on the right turning left and vice versa.
I think most of the houses are let to people for short term work...very few locals would buy or rent one of them. A 3 bed goes for about 400k, probably the price of a 1 bed in an 'ok' area.
....or a 4+ bed lovely house in many other parts of the UK.....The Hangar lane junction further West is mayhem - cars on the right turning left and vice versa.
I think most of the houses are let to people for short term work...very few locals would buy or rent one of them. A 3 bed goes for about 400k, probably the price of a 1 bed in an 'ok' area.
Nimby said:
Ah the joys of queueing at Gates Corner, Waterworks Corner and the Crooked Billet on the way to WHL in the 70's.
That was luxury compared to the what seems to a small boy hours back in the 50s of that stretch from the Crooked Billet to Gants Hill and sometimes beyond until Dad could get up speed on the A127 The firat time i used the super deluxe 17 lane highway that rtook its place i was completely lost!! Living on the West of London for the last 40 years certainly numbed the memories of leaving for Day Trips to Clacton, Southend and the Kent Coast pre Dartford Tunnel
I get some old OS maps out of the area now and again to see just how much has changed
LeoSayer said:
Just don't forget to include Redbridge roundabout for a bit of extra jeopardy.
Redbridge roundabout is easy! Nice wide lanes and fairly good sight-lines. Gants Hill roundabout back up the A12 though is a far better challenge with more wierdly angled exits and even more manic lane changes. It didn't have traffic lights on it back in the early 2000s when I lived near there which made it an even better challenge than it is now...Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff