Scarletgirl61 Posted September 2, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 2, 2017 We're travelling to Southampton tomorrow (Arcadia) and just wondering if anyone's aware of any expected traffic delays? We're travelling from Cardiff & google suggest it's a 2.30hr journey! Would hate to be late for sail away!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh1809 Posted September 2, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 2, 2017 There could be more traffic than usual, as for many families it will be the last day of the school holidays and so they may want to go out somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandylennon Posted September 2, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Yes but Google is not driving, we were on the M4 and M5 today, loads of caravans. Took us 4.5 hours from south Devon, google said 3.5. Have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Presto2 Posted September 2, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Good luck is all we can say. Our normal 3 and a half hour journey to Southampton took 7 hours yesterday to Stoke on Trent. It could have been worse but the satnav took us around the worst, but we have seen places in the UK we have only heard of! Just take care as the M5, M6 and M42 are chaos at the moment. Leave plenty of time and above all, have a great time PS Just realised that you are in Cardiff, but take care as the motorways seem to be a mess at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doog442 Posted September 2, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 2, 2017 I reckon you will be ok... .the majority of the traffic in the South west will be heading home. The M4 might be busy eastwards but when you turn off down to Newbury you will find everything is going the other way and should be a clear run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted September 2, 2017 #6 Share Posted September 2, 2017 We're travelling to Southampton tomorrow (Arcadia) and just wondering if anyone's aware of any expected traffic delays? We're travelling from Cardiff & google suggest it's a 2.30hr journey! Would hate to be late for sail away!!!! Your 2.5hrs is about spot on. Don't worry about all those reporting traffic nightmares. Sundays are an entirely different beast to summer Saturdays and weekdays and you will also be going in the opposite direction to any residual holiday traffic on the only 'tourist' stretch, which is the bottom of the M3. Presuming that you aren't planning on arriving just before the ship sails, you will have enough time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarletgirl61 Posted September 2, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Thanks everyone for your replies. I always like to be early so will anticipate the worse but will, hopefully, arrive with time to spare. Just won't complain that we can't get on board before our 14.30 embarkement ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maime Posted September 2, 2017 #8 Share Posted September 2, 2017 We were two hours waiting for a taxi this morning because nothing could get into the Mayflower docks due to roadworks. There were five ships in and the traffic lights were only letting 10 cars ( or one oversized slow dock vehicle ) before changing. I'd check and see if how busy it will be with other ships. You don't want too much waiting around but nothing worse than feeling rushed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berrywood Posted September 2, 2017 #9 Share Posted September 2, 2017 The traffic on the M3 and along the M27 to the M271 today was really bad due to people going to the Bournemouth Air Festival which is still on tommorow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adammara Posted September 2, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Personally, I would be leaving around 9am, getting to the Southampton area and having a light lunch somewhere! My son missed a flight from Gatwick, due to being stuck on a motorway after an accident. He was able to get a later flight, but there are no later cruises! Ours is a four to five hour journey normally, which once took 9 hours, due to 2 major accidents, we now go down the day before, and stay in the area! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted September 3, 2017 #11 Share Posted September 3, 2017 We were two hours waiting for a taxi this morning because nothing could get into the Mayflower docks due to roadworks. There were five ships in and the traffic lights were only letting 10 cars ( or one oversized slow dock vehicle ) before changing. I'd check and see if how busy it will be with other ships. You don't want too much waiting around but nothing worse than feeling rushed. It's worth anyone heading to Mayflower Cruise terminal on a particularly busy day knowing that there is a 'short cut' to the Mayflower Cruise Terminal which allows you to avoid all traffic congestion around the port (not that we've ever had any in all our cruises). Basically, as you turn left at the bottom of the M271, exit the dual carriageway at the first major junction (just before the first flyover) and turn Right at the roundabout into the docks. If you have Sat Nav, put First Avenue as your destination. This is primarily a freight entrance, (but there are no signs saying that) but cars can also enter. As it's a dual carriageway entrance, you would have to pass through the barrier to turn around and come back out, so in the very unlikely event that you meet a. 'jobsworth', telling you that you should be coming in elsewhere, you can ignore them as they have no choice but to let you through). As you pass through the barrier, turn left (Western Avenue) and this takes you to Mayflower Cruise Terminal from the opposite direction to all the crowds (just turn right when you are alongside the ship, all the queues will be coming towards you and turning left). Many people will know this route and will have used it at the end of a cruise when exiting the cruise terminal car park and, in the absence of signs, turned left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adammara Posted September 3, 2017 #12 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Maybe to late for OP, but here is the official info! Travel Information Please check your travel arrangements before leaving for the Port of Southampton. M3 Junctions 2 - 4a Overnight closures in place - motorway is currently restricted to 50mph across all 4 lanes during the day - Please allow yourself enough travelling time. M4 advanced warning of Overnight closure junctions 12 and 13 scheduled to start mid August and will continue for 8 months. - Please allow yourslef enought travelling time. Any disruptions can be found by visiting info@highwaysengland.co.uk Please note this is a very busy month for the Port of Southampton and the following information needs to be followed. DOCK GATE 8 IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW AND ACCESS TO THE CITY CRUISE TERMINAL IS VIA DOCK GATE 10 UNTIL 1ST OCTOBER 2017. Please also note you can enter the port via Dock Gate 20 as you come of the M271 - Post Code SO15 1DA - Information on travel arrangements for Southampton can also be found at https://myjourneysouthampton.com/ So very good advice from Selbourne! Gate 10 is taking all City and Mayflower traffic for the next month, be warned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted September 3, 2017 #13 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Further to my previous post, we have just returned from a ship visit to Arcadia today and I can provide a bit more detailed info on the route I suggested above. The entrance to the port that that you need is indeed Gate 20. Approach Southampton via the M271. Turn left at the end and as you join the dual carriageway be ready to leave at the first proper exit for Dock Gate 20 (not the few sharp left turns that you pass). It's immediately before the first flyover. Turn right at the roundabout, going underneath the flyover and follow signs for Dock Gate 20. Although mostly used for freight traffic, there are no restrictions on this road and cars may access. As you approach the gate there is a barrier, but it is now camera controlled with ANPR cameras (automatic number plate recognition). The gate rises automatically as you approach. As you pass through the gate, turn left. I hadn't realised until today, but it's actually signposted 'Cruise Terminals' from here, so just follow the signs. As you draw level with the rear of the ship (after a good few miles) take the right turn for Mayflower Cruise Terminal (it's signposted). Approaching the terminal this way will bypass all queues into Southampton, all the traffic lights and speed cameras, boat show congestion (when it's on) and all cruise traffic. The only minor issue that you may get caught at a railway level crossing for 5 minutes if a freight train is manoeuvring within the docks, but you will still get there quicker than the conventional route. Interestingly (and relevant for those who are a bit fearful of going this way) when you drive out of Mayflower Cruise Terminal, the signs for the M271 actually send you out this way through Dock Gate 20, proving that it is a legitimate access route for cars. And for those who were scaremongering about traffic today for the OP, the M4 and A34 were both near deserted on the way down and the M3 traffic was all northbound. The return journey was less easy as the M3 was heavily congested from Southampton to Winchester, but this was long after disembarking cruise ship passengers would have passed along here and wasn't helped by the foul weather. And, of course, you are heading home then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarletgirl61 Posted September 10, 2017 Author #14 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Hi everyone. Just a thank you for your advice last week! Just back today after a great week in the Fjords. Took us just under 3hrs to get from Cardiff to Southampton but ... the sat nav took us through town & we got stuck in the Sunday shoppers traffic for almost an hour!!!! Luckily we left enough time as contingency & were in our cabin bang on embarkation time :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Presto2 Posted September 10, 2017 #15 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Glad you had a great time. We are thinking of a Fjords cruise :-) Say hello to Cardiff for us ---- we have now visited twice and we just love the City (and Wales of course!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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