Roads To Portsmouth From Wiltshire, Around Poole.

[Bramleyboy]

I am hoping to cross from Portsmouth to Cherbourg about 14 15 th of May at 09.00 We have been told that the roads around Poole are absolutely dreadful and gridlocked. Is this true? Any hints and advice will be gratefully received as we have to leave about 06.00 and I hate getting up early!! Many thanks, Bramleyboy

[Buenchico]

Looking at a map, I can't see any reason why you should go anywhere near to Poole!

You've not told us which part of Wiltshire you're starting from but from Swindon I'd probably keep it simple and go M4 > A34 > M3 > M27 > M275

[scooping]

Get up early, get near, have a coffee, chill and leave silly questions until your return.

[Prudie]

I don't understand why you need to go anywhere near Poole if you are coming from Wiltshire and going to Portsmouth?

[Buenchico]

Well that makes two of us, Prudie!

If you're starting from somewhere further south than Swindon, either head to Salisbury and then take
A36 > M27 > M275
or head west on the A303 and then pick up the A34 as in my first post.

None of those routes take you within 20 miles of Poole!

[Prudie]

To add further bad news, the M27 where it gets to Southampton and past the M3 change and on to Potsmouth gets very slow in rush hour, let's face it so does everywhere, so if you don't want to miss the boat I'd suggest an early start.

[Buenchico]

As Prudie states, the M3/M27 area can get very congested at peak times but, even so, it probably only adds around 10 to 15 minutes onto a 'traffic free' journey, so it's not worth trying to find an alternative route. Simply factor that delay into your journey plan.

[cassa333]

Good luck getting into Portsmouth in time for 9am. The new park and ride has made it horribly gridlocked on the Mile End Road junction.

Mind you by then they might havesrted i out and let the traffic go along the bus route :)

[jomifl]

The access to thhe ferry terminal from the motorway was dead easy the last time I used it..when I fled to France.

[Bramleyboy]

I was told that it was the people from Poole who were causing the jams! You can't believe what you hear these days! Thanks all.