Hammersmith Flyover closure, alternative route?

[JaneB]

Any forum people out there know if the closure of the flyover makes it just too painful to go from ED to Oxford by car? I had planned to take my elderly parents there for lunch on Thursday to visit a close friend but am feeling very nervous about setting off if we are going to have to sit in queues for hours to access the M40. Going by train isn't really an alternative given my parents' health issues, as indeed sitting in traffic for hours could be a step too far.

Be really grateful for any advice from more experienced travellers out west.

Thanks

Jane

[Loz]

South Circular to Kew Bridge -> M4 -> M25 -> M40.

A better route even if the flyover is working.

[KidKruger]

Follow the diversion signs, it's a small detour from A4.

Did it twice over Xmas period, added like 15 mins to journey.

[Twirly]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> South Circular to Kew Bridge -> M4 -> M25 -> M40.

>

> A better route even if the flyover is working.

I wouldn't recommend it... took me 40 minutes to get to Kew yesterday on the South Circular, and over 2 hours to get back (left Kew at 4pm).

It looked as though the traffic was worse west to east, as the traffic flowing east to west on the way back didn't appear to be so bad. The worst part was from Kew to East Sheen (an hour, could have walked it faster), then about a further half hour/45 mins to Putney where the traffic eased off as the diversion took the traffic back into London on the A219 (I think, not good with road names and numbers).

It might also depend on the time of day you are travelling, it's hard to tell. I was anticipating the traffic being a bit heavier on the way home, but nowhere near that bad. My father lives near Swindon, and we regularly do that journey as part of a trip back from his a little later on a Sunday and it'll take 2.5 hours.

[JaneB]

Thanks all, am encouraged to give it a go although slightly confused as to which route to go for! Any other suggestions??

Jane

[Ladygooner]

Over Waterloo Bridge and turn left at Euston, A40 and the M40 straight to Oxford

[Loz]

It's for Thursday, LadyG. Congestion charge on that route.

[jennyh]

We went on weds last week, went out via clapham, east sheen, Putney route and kew bridge and it was a disaster. Was about 10am and took around 90 mins of very slow traffic to get to the M4. Have done this route before and it's always been slow in my experience....single lane traffic through residential and high streets. On the way back we just took our chances on the hammersmith diversion and it took no extra time at all. (admittedly it was about 8pm though).The diversion is small and I imagine even with heavy traffic would be quicker than the longer alternative route.

[JaneB]

Just to conclude the thread, went on A40/M40, out via Earls Court/shepherds Bush and the traffic was free flowing there and back. No congestion charge either, thanks to all who commented (on and off the forum) and hope I haven't made anyone else panic over what turned out to be an easy journey.

Jane