Commuting to London - by car

[MYOB]

Hello all

I have done it all. I have commuted to London by train, motorbike and coach. Now I want to explore the possibility of commuting by car.

I'm in North Kent, so would traverse by M2 and A2. Current thinking is drive to Falconwood, and get the train into town from there. I recall there was free on-road parking at Falconwood but not too sure if any restrictions are there?

Does anyone else have any suggestions of where I can park for free and get the train or tube into central London?

I'm fed up with paying £4000 a year when I only travel 3 days a week (still works out cheaper to buy annual season ticket).

Thanks.

[roscobbc]

You still need to traverse Dartford Crossing. On outermost reaches of District Line, say Upminster Bridge station you can park out of controlled zone free all day if you don't mind a 10/15 minute walk to tube station. This is zone 6 I believe so should be £12/13 return into zone 1. There also option of Upminster tube/Fenchurch St line - may need to walk a bit further.

[MYOB]

Thanks - but I think you misread my post.

I certainly do not need to cross the tunnel/bridge...

Looking to travel up the M2/A2, poss to Falconwood (anyone - is it still possible to park for free on the Rochester Way?).

Cheers.

[TV8]

Not sure where you need to get to in London or where are in north kent, but do you have oyster card readers at the station? 15 pound travel card x 3 days per week, 48 weeks of the year is a lot less than 4k

[MYOB]

I think the nearest Oyster card station is some 35 miles away!

[Rochester TVR]

MYOB said:

anyone - is it still possible to park for free on the Rochester Way?

Its still free. I came along Rochester Way about 6:30 this morning and it was full so you'd need to get there very early...

[HeWhoDaresRoy]

You can park for free on the mid and upper parts of Beaconsfield Road, SE3 and then walk a couple of minutes to Westcombe Park station. I think the train takes about twenty minutes to London Bridge/Charing Cross/ Canon Street.

[davidc1]

Hi.
i have been parking at falconwood for 10 years. I am your man!
i live in swanley , and it used to be great. Rock up at 745 and park on welling way no problem...
then the secret got out , it it gradually got harder and you had to get there earlier and earlier. Then my car was bumped twice in a fortnight...

i gave up 2 years ago. I made some flyers and leafleted the doors near the station , stating i would pay 40 a month to park. I posted 15 leaflets on the drives that looked empty and got 5 offers!
i now park on riefield road. And can have an extra 45min in bed and see my kids first thing and my nice car is safe
i would leaflet!
let us know how you get on
david

[MYOB]

Thanks all. It does sound as if it's a hassle in trying to find a parking spot, and it's equally important to have some contingencies in case there are no spaces available.

I like the suggestion of renting someone's driveway for £40 a month! Might look into this...will listen to offers

Thanks all.

[davidc1]

With the free parking you also never knew quite how busy it was going be on any morning... A delay on the a2 and you were f**ked...
stress before you even got to work
..
If you are only 3 days a week , you should try for 30quid. !
alot of houses along there the people are house rich cash poor

defiantly leaflet , a nicely worded letter worked for me and the old guy i rent from is retired and grateful for the money.


david

[MYOB]

David

Hmm...might try and find your driveway and offer them £50...a bidding war perchance!

Just need to look into the cost of doing the commute by car (wear and tear, depreciation, fuel, parking etc).

I believe there's a car park near the 02 ( not the 02 car park). Anyone know anything about this?

Ta.

[davidc1]

He would probably take your 50 he is a bit of a wide boy!
the 02 car park is v dear , plus the trafic will be to much , after kidbrooke the trafic is v slow most mornings/evenings as it goes down from 3 to 2 lanes at times...
you already have the car , so all you will be doing is the extra fuel...
where are you coming in from?

[MYOB]

davidc1 said:

He would probably take your 50 he is a bit of a wide boy!
the 02 car park is v dear , plus the trafic will be to much , after kidbrooke the trafic is v slow most mornings/evenings as it goes down from 3 to 2 lanes at times...
you already have the car , so all you will be doing is the extra fuel...
where are you coming in from?

I didn't mean the actual 02 car park...I spoke to someone a few years back who said he parked nearby for much cheaper.

I would be driving from near Sittingbourne. I'm on flexitime so my thinking is very early starts to get home for end-school time.

I commute 4 hours a day and to be honest, don't expect this to change if I drive up nearer to town. It's about saving some money. Commuting by motorbikes was the most fun, and shortest (1 hour each way) but also the most expensive!

One advantage with the train is one can catch up on lost sleep...

[TV8]

MYOB said:

I think the nearest Oyster card station is some 35 miles away!

I see, so not that north in Kent then!

[MYOB]

TV8 said:

I see, so not that north in Kent then!

Have you heard of the north Kent coastline?

[Sticks.]

Have you seen this? I heard about it on the radio iirc, but haven't used it.

http://www.parkonmydrive.com/

[strattonkillick]

Or try Parklet? Plenty of people trying to rent out their drives near stations. In my area (Lewisham) they're asking for quite a bit, but a cheeky offer could work. I appreciate the traffic is a bit too difficult to get here though.

[strattonkillick]

Or try Parklet? Plenty of people trying to rent out their drives near stations. In my area (Lewisham) they're asking for quite a bit, but a cheeky offer could work. I appreciate the traffic is a bit too difficult to get here though.

[Brew]

I sometimes park around Eltham park - ten minute walk from the station, free parking and side roads (Glenlyon, Glenlea, Eltham Park Gdns) are quiet and safe. One stop further on from Falconwood and never had any issues.

[Brew]

I sometimes park around Eltham park - ten minute walk from the station, free parking and side roads (Glenlyon, Glenlea, Eltham Park Gdns) are quiet and safe. One stop further on from Falconwood and never had any issues.