Clarebabes

Hi guys,

The font of all knowledge is required again.

I've got to get into the centre of Nottingham tomorrow for 9:30. Tall order as I have to leave Northampton at 8 and no earlier.

Is it possible to get there for that time and park in one of the car parks?

Is it possible to get there for that time by using the most southerly park and ride?

I don't know where I am going, but could use sat nav if it helps gets me to a car park that will have places near the Lace Market area.

Your help would be gratefully received

Clare

ScoobyWon't

There are a few car parks in and around the Lace Market.

I'll be travelling about 4 miles across the city tomorrow morning and leaving at 07:45 to arrrive by 08:30 and I'm hoping they'll be no traffic. If there is no traffic around, you'll sail in, but if there is traffic, it'll be gridlock.

You could get the park and ride from Queens Drive, just off the A453. I can't remember if the new connection from Ratcliffe power station further along the A453 has opened yet, may be worth seaching for.

The A453 can be horrible at any time of the day.

Clarebabes

Thanks, I suppose I'll just have to see how well I'm doing and at what time.

3/4 of an hour to do 4 miles, jeez! I thought Northampton was bad!

+Doc+

It will be touch and go at the time of the day.
You may be quicker to come off at Junction 26 and go to the Millenium business park, theres a park and ride there for the trams.

The motorway is snided at that time due to all the roadworks, and the centre of Nottingham hates cars so it will be gridlocked.

Clarebabes

Junction 26 would be a lot longer north on the M1, so probably would make me even later than I am already going to be!

Going to try the park and ride I think.... Do buses get priority over cars? I.e. am I going to be sat in the same traffic as I would be in my own car?

+Doc+

There are plenty of bus routes to the centre, trams are faster as they don't stop

Jonnys3

I would opt for this route - sure it will be longer to get to J26 in the car, but the tram (park n ride) goes straight from Pheonix Park (millenium way) to the town centre in about 20/30 mins - much easier than trying to navigate horrendous traffic jams, even on the bus.

NET Guide to Phoenix Park Tram Stop

ScoobyWon't

There's only a fraction of a bus lane on Queens Drive, the rest of the 453 is single lane and currently experiencing road works. Hopefully the Download festival which was at Donington over the last few days have gone too, so you won't hit traffic leaving that site.

ScoobyWon't

Also check Juntion 26 before you go, as the last time I used it a couple of weeks ago, there were roadworks there too. Hopefully they'll be gone now.

Clarebabes

Thanks guys, I just don't know what to do now! I hope I am not the only one late...

Jonnys3

Nope, roadworks are still there as it's all part of the M1 widening scheme, but it flows as it's a 50mph limit and seems to keep things moving steadily.

Clarebabes

I've decided I hate Nottingham and never want to go there again.

And I hate the fact I've got to go back there tomorrow!

ScoobyWon't

Did you have traffic problems? I made my journey in just less than twenty minutes as traffic was really light when I travelled.

Clarebabes

I had trouble as soon as I got on the A453, loads of traffic, not going anywhere. Took 3/4 hour to do 3 miles I reckon. Got on the park & ride bus and then took about another 20 minutes to get to Fletcher Gate.

On the way home, got bus and it took a while to get to the P&R, then hit traffic as soon as I got on the main road out of the city. There'd been an accident outside NTU, so it was gridlock. Sat Nav'd my way out of the problem through a dodgy council estate, then through Gotham and eventually joined the A453 again at the power station.

Took 2 hours to get home Hateful!

Tomorrow my colleague and I are going to Phoenix Park off junction 26 and getting the tram to Lace Market, so we'll see how that goes.

Thanksfully, after this round of training, I will never have to go there again. Will be having strong words with my training dept tomorrow!

+Doc+

A453 should be avoided at all costs, that's why I said Junction 26.

It took me 25 mins to get from Ilkeston to Nottingham through J26 and down the A610 into Sherwood, to give you an idea of times that way.

Enjoy your last day..if you make it again

scoobyvirgin

Sounds like you went through Clifton massive on the way out, nice!!

salsa-king

From Northampton, up the M1 you should have come off at J21a, follow the signs for Newark/Grantham/southwell etc, it's the a46/the Foss Way raod, then you'll see signs for Nottm. This is so much faster/quicker than going upto j24 a453 to get into Nottingham.