East Sheen to Dover docks for 845am?

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Sun 8 Jul 2007 18:29
East Sheen to Dover docks for 845am? - Orson {P}
Any bright ideas for East Sheen (south circular) to Dover in time for the 9.25am ferry tomorrow? AA routefinder has us down the A3 to J9 of the M25, and says 1h50.
Aside from the "I wouldn't start from there" comments, does anyone know what it'll be like?
Thanks
O
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Sun 8 Jul 2007 19:00
East Sheen to Dover docks for 845am? - wotspur
I live in Weybridge, and regularly travel to Kent, (last week to Winchelsea, not a zillion miles away, left home at 9.30 and arrived just after 11, and that was down the A21, a total nightmare road).
It could be almost as quick for you to go straight down the A316 M3 to the M25, (rather than the A3 to M25 at Cobham, it's not the most direct route, but probably less hold ups - but Monday AM's urgh could be bad,mainly as here so many vehicles trying to turn right on to the M25 north, can cause major delays).
Last time I went to France, I arrived at the docks on the return journey 20 mins late, and they just put us on the next available ferry, 40 odd mins later, so whilst I'd leave at least 2.5 hrs, for a safe journey and most eventualities , I expect they still let late arrivals to board the next available ferry - or was i just lucky
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Sun 8 Jul 2007 19:18
East Sheen to Dover docks for 845am? - Altea Ego
A3 southbound, and M25 eastern bound to a2.m2 will be fine and largely free flowing. I would allow 2.5 hours for the journey at that time on a Monday
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Sun 8 Jul 2007 21:37
East Sheen to Dover docks for 845am? - henry k
I would go the straight route.
Kingston / Surbiton / Hook / Chessington to to J9 M25.

I have regularly travelled in the wee small hours via the A316 Chiswick Bridge, Richmond, Kingston to Surbiton.
Through to Surbiton is surprisingly quick. ( even with 20mph in Ham)
I go over Richmond Hill, then from Kingston take the A240.
Having crossed over the railway near Surbiton Station, just past Tolworth Hospital ( on the right) take the 2nd right and a few yards later bear left which takes you to the Hook Road ( 2nd left a the little roundabout)
Then due south all the way (beware Gatsos in the Chessington area).

If the recommended route is via the A3, IMO there is absolutely no point in staying on til the M25 as the slow part of the journey is behind you so exit at Hook.

1.5 hours seems a little hopeful.
2.5 hours was suggested by wotspur who is close to the M25.
It took me 50 mins from J4 M20 to Esher early this afternoon and I was not dawdling.
There was very heavy traffic trying to exit South on the M23 but that caused little delay.
Add your slow start to all routes and I would carefully check the timings.

There are roadworks on the M20 near J4 with average speed cameras (40 mph)

www.frixo.com/m20-east.asp
www.keepmoving.co.uk/
www.traffic-england.co.uk/TCC/ and activate current conditions and you can view the activated motor way signs
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Sun 8 Jul 2007 21:39
East Sheen to Dover docks for 845am? - jc2
I'd use the M20 myself rather than theM2-much better road(3 lanes almost all of the way) but coming back use the A229 to change from the M20 to M2 to avoid holdups at M26 junction.
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Fri 13 Jul 2007 11:11
East Sheen to Dover docks for 845am? - Orson {P}
Many thanks to all for suggestions. We ended up leaving at 0610, and went South circular-A3 - M25 - M20 and did it in 1hr 45. No major holdups at all. The EU wine lake is a little smaller...
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Career: (n) Job, profession.
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