Fuel shortages/ trucker go-slows in France: Help
19 October 2010, 02:17 PM
#1
Fuel shortages/ trucker go-slows in France: Help
Typically I've got to drive through the whole of France next week. 
Anyone in France or knows anyone over there who can say how bad the situation really is. As the media being its usual sensationalist self makes it hard to assertain if its worth cancelling the trip for a week or so.
I'll be travelling up from Bayonne to Calais via Bordeaux and Rouen. (N10, A10, A23, A16) with a fuel stop en-route at Poitiers (and a top up at Calais). So any info relating to these areas would be handy
Cheers
Anyone in France or knows anyone over there who can say how bad the situation really is. As the media being its usual sensationalist self makes it hard to assertain if its worth cancelling the trip for a week or so.
I'll be travelling up from Bayonne to Calais via Bordeaux and Rouen. (N10, A10, A23, A16) with a fuel stop en-route at Poitiers (and a top up at Calais). So any info relating to these areas would be handy
Cheers
19 October 2010, 06:57 PM
#6
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parents drove from Riberac to Calais last Saturday and had no problems.
In fact they said that everybody seemed to have been scared off the roads by the threatened demonstrations and the roads were all empty.
In fact they said that everybody seemed to have been scared off the roads by the threatened demonstrations and the roads were all empty.
19 October 2010, 07:05 PM
#7
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My parents are out there at the moment and it is a problem, not just media hype Im afraid. My Dad is supposed to be driving to a court case next Monday but he might have to get public transport. We are supposed to see them the Thursday after but that is looking less likely as well. Flippin French paddies.
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19 October 2010, 07:46 PM
#9
And also take into account that the coming weekend and the one after it are Toussaints, when LOADS of French people have a holiday to visit family......P_ersonally, it's been a time of year I've had my WORST journeys. Last year, a 9.5 hour drive became just over 12 hours........
Route Bis: Loads of routes around France using back roads rather than main roads/motorways, designed to get you off the main arterials, and onto quiter roads, less traffic, more to see. Not as quick, but can be quicker at peak times.
WELL signed with green/yellow arrows, "Route Bis" so no town names etc etc:
19 October 2010, 07:47 PM
#10
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19 October 2010, 07:49 PM
#11
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Ali what will you be driving? i.e. will you car make it on 1 tank? May be worth filling up in Spain (its a lot cheaper any way) and getting some cans in the boot if it will fit.
19 October 2010, 08:52 PM
#12
Cheers guys.
Car will be a Seat Altea 2.0TDi, which does about 800km to a tank, so unless I stack the boot with a couple of jerry cans there is no way it'll do the entire length of France on one tank, which then leaves no space for the dog and luggage...(plus diesel stinks worse than the dog
).
And its a public holiday the weekend after this one too? Fan flippin' tastic.
I think I'll take at look at the ferrys from Santander and see whats on offer, I hope the sea isn't choppy
Car will be a Seat Altea 2.0TDi, which does about 800km to a tank, so unless I stack the boot with a couple of jerry cans there is no way it'll do the entire length of France on one tank, which then leaves no space for the dog and luggage...(plus diesel stinks worse than the dog
).And its a public holiday the weekend after this one too? Fan flippin' tastic.
I think I'll take at look at the ferrys from Santander and see whats on offer, I hope the sea isn't choppy
20 October 2010, 07:19 PM
#14
Cheers, but after some rooting around we've come to the decision to take the overnight ferry from Santander (Spain). Screw the French, they can throw their toys as much as they like for what good it'll do, but it won't sort their economy's probems.
After costing it up, its not really that more expensive due to the fuel costs (we start off from Alicante).
This is what has always peeved me off with this Altea: 16valve 140ps diesel with PD (not common rail) and it struggles to get above 40mpg. I have a DPT box on permanent loan which has given it an extra 2mpg, but its still too thirsty (for a diesel), although it does motor well when provoked (wheelspin in 3rd gear etc).
Now, whats a good sea-sickness/travel sickness drug?
After costing it up, its not really that more expensive due to the fuel costs (we start off from Alicante).
This is what has always peeved me off with this Altea: 16valve 140ps diesel with PD (not common rail) and it struggles to get above 40mpg. I have a DPT box on permanent loan which has given it an extra 2mpg, but its still too thirsty (for a diesel), although it does motor well when provoked (wheelspin in 3rd gear etc).
Now, whats a good sea-sickness/travel sickness drug?
Last edited by ALi-B; 20 October 2010 at 07:20 PM.
20 October 2010, 07:28 PM
#15
I work in Northern France and I am here at the moment.
It's not as bad as the press would have you believe although there are delays around the ports and the channel tunnel where they are targeting.
It is a 'rolling road' block which means that you are moving albeit very slowly. Every group is escorted by the police to ensure nothing gets out of hand or anyone above their station. Provided you leave plenty of time for your journey, I cannot foresee any major problems, I came out by tunnel on Tuesday and drove to Dunkirk and was not held up at all.
Hope this helps
It's not as bad as the press would have you believe although there are delays around the ports and the channel tunnel where they are targeting.
It is a 'rolling road' block which means that you are moving albeit very slowly. Every group is escorted by the police to ensure nothing gets out of hand or anyone above their station. Provided you leave plenty of time for your journey, I cannot foresee any major problems, I came out by tunnel on Tuesday and drove to Dunkirk and was not held up at all.
Hope this helps
20 October 2010, 07:29 PM
#16
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Well done and like your attitude. The French like there tantrums so stuff 'em. My parents have seen no evidence of this stopping soon so its the wisest choice.
An Altea struggling to achieve 40mpg would not put me in a good mood either. My impreza does 35mpg on the motorways.
An Altea struggling to achieve 40mpg would not put me in a good mood either. My impreza does 35mpg on the motorways.
20 October 2010, 07:29 PM
#17
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Well done and like your attitude. The French like there tantrums so stuff 'em. My parents have seen no evidence of this stopping soon so its the wisest choice.
An Altea struggling to achieve 40mpg would not put me in a good mood either. My impreza does 35mpg on the motorways.
An Altea struggling to achieve 40mpg would not put me in a good mood either. My impreza does 35mpg on the motorways.
20 October 2010, 07:30 PM
#18
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I work in Northern France and I am here at the moment.
It's not as bad as the press would have you believe although there are delays around the ports and the channel tunnel where they are targeting.
It is a 'rolling road' block which means that you are moving albeit very slowly. Every group is escorted by the police to ensure nothing gets out of hand or anyone above their station. Provided you leave plenty of time for your journey, I cannot foresee any major problems, I came out by tunnel on Tuesday and drove to Dunkirk and was not held up at all.
Hope this helps
It's not as bad as the press would have you believe although there are delays around the ports and the channel tunnel where they are targeting.
It is a 'rolling road' block which means that you are moving albeit very slowly. Every group is escorted by the police to ensure nothing gets out of hand or anyone above their station. Provided you leave plenty of time for your journey, I cannot foresee any major problems, I came out by tunnel on Tuesday and drove to Dunkirk and was not held up at all.
Hope this helps
20 October 2010, 07:46 PM
#22
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Good decision to go via Santander. I am currently in Paris at the Satis technology expo in Porte de Versailles. There are queues at petrol stations and the locals tell me that fuel supply is poor in Paris, west of Paris and north towards Calais. I am due to travel to Madrid Friday and will head for Toulouse as fuel is fairly easy to obtain going south. I will probably return to the UK via Santander/ ferry in 10 days time although the government have instructed the military to clear the protests and to open the refineries so things should start easing up in the next day or two.
HTH anyone planning to travel this way over the next few days.
HTH anyone planning to travel this way over the next few days.
20 October 2010, 08:44 PM
#25
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make sure you down them 24 hours before leaving tho
- and dont be tempted to don your dancing shoes for the cha cha cha , cos youll probbaly fall over in the process
, id stick to alcohol myself
- and dont be tempted to don your dancing shoes for the cha cha cha , cos youll probbaly fall over in the process
, id stick to alcohol myself
20 October 2010, 08:47 PM
#26
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This is what has always peeved me off with this Altea: 16valve 140ps diesel with PD (not common rail) and it struggles to get above 40mpg. I have a DPT box on permanent loan which has given it an extra 2mpg, but its still too thirsty (for a diesel), although it does motor well when provoked (wheelspin in 3rd gear etc).
Odd - My 3.0TDi A4 reguarly gets over 50mpg when I'm cruising. I got almost 54mpg on the way back from Scotland a couple of weeks back.
You got the wrong Diesel
20 October 2010, 10:53 PM
#30
When conditions/cameras permit, we tend to < ahem > cruise at slightly faster than 130km/h. Even so with the cruise control set at 120km/h it doesn't make any real difference, in fact the only time I've seen it do above 45mpg is by doing 90km/h and slipstreaming HGVs.
Its well known that the 16valve Pumpe Düse engine is not great on fuel, compared to the 1.9 PD 8valve it replaced, nor the current common rails that superceeded it. To be fair though, it still does 40mpg round town in stop-go city traffic, so maybe its a gearing issue (its a 6speed though).
We never really intended it to be used for this kind of long distance work, when finances permit I'm pushing to get a fully loaded Skoda Superb TDi 170, which is alot more comfy for the mile munching.
Last edited by ALi-B; 20 October 2010 at 10:55 PM.