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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:	Cars in the UK
Notice:	Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:	COMICS::SHELLEYELD

Created:	Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2584
Total number of notes:	63384

2164.0. "FYI: A33 roadworks and dual-carriageway ( basingstoke to reading )" by LARVAE::DRSD27::GALVIN (Computer Anachronologist.) Wed Oct 13 1993 17:40

Called the highway department yesterday to find out whether the 30mph speed
restrictions between the Wellington Arms Hotel and the Little Chef are
permanent.  The chap on the other end of the phone said that they are there
temporarily so that the workmen can work within 1 metre of the traffic while
they work on the kerbing on that stretch of single carriageway.  Once the work
has been done the the signs will disappear.  The temporary lights will only be
used out of the rush hours, i.e. from 9:30 to 4:30, for most of the time.

I then asked whether there are any plans to extend the dual-carriageway down to
Basingstoke and he said yes.  Starting in 1995 the dual-carriageway will be
built in sections partly taking the line of the existing road.  The roadworks
are sheduled to finish in the year 2000 !  Sounds like a road to avoid in the
future !!!

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2164.1		SUBURB::THOMASH	The Devon Dumpling	`Thu Oct 14 1993 11:11`	12
	I wouldn't hold your breath, The plans for the dualing of the A33 were all done at the same time. However, Berkshire put their money where there mouth is, and built their bit........................Hampshire have always had the plans, but haven't wanted to spen the money - maybe they've decided to increase the community charge to fund it. Heather
2164.2	A33 - my worst nightmare	WEST07::MOXLEY	The Wild Heart	`Thu Oct 14 1993 15:00`	9
	I also thought there were issues around the land ownerhsip here, doesn't most of the land in the Hampshire section belong to the Wellington estate?, and that the dook was not going to allow encroachment onto his land.. Be great when it's done though, has to be one of the worst rush hour roads in the South (poss exception - Hockley lights) Simon
2164.3		UKEDU::BUSHEN	I've won a paper clip!!!!	`Fri Oct 15 1993 14:43`	18
	Re A33 > > Be great when it's done though, has to be one of the worst rush hour > roads in the South (poss exception - Hockley lights) > the Hockley lights trouble is a MYTH - most days its just another 10 mins on the journey @8:00 compared to 10:00 the a33 is much worse! and in my opinion the Hampshire single carriageway part is not the problem its the M4 roundabout junction - I've queued for over 30 mins there some days!! Paul.
2164.4		SBPUS4::Mark		`Fri Oct 15 1993 15:03`	2
	Well that "myth" gives me a bad time more often than not. Saturdays in the summer are a disaster.
2164.5	One helluva myth!	HEWIE::RUSSELL	Just a SAP fall guy...	`Fri Oct 15 1993 15:07`	12
	A Myth? Friday and Sunday afternoons/evenings are murder all year round. Most afternoons between 4:30 and 6:30 going south is "difficult". Most mornings between 7:30 and 9:00 going north is "difficult". 30 minute delays (and longer) are not uncommon at these times. And summer weekends are a wonder to behold... Peter.
2164.6		KERNEL::SHELLEYR	No time for catching 'Zee's	`Fri Oct 15 1993 15:19`	14
	Why oh why don't they give a longer green light to the main traffic going through the Hockley lights. I'm sure this would ease congestion. If you look doen either the St Cross or the Twyford juctions there are never many cars waiting. Or why not close those junctions all together and direct the local traffic to shawford and compton. Royston PS Its sad to see the hill being dug away but there will be a lot of happy motorists wizzing through it next Autumn. BUT in a hundred years time will it have beeen worth it ?
2164.7		FORTY2::TEER	Orange! With this suit?	`Fri Oct 15 1993 15:58`	4
	Shawford and Compton are not the best places to divert local traffic, being small villages. Besides, have you seen the traffic going into Winchester across the Hockley Lights in the morning. It's awful - I used to work in the city during Summer '92, and there was never enough time given to that traffic!
2164.8		SAC::HAYCOX_I	Ian	`Fri Oct 15 1993 16:48`	10
	I have been driving through the Hockley lights every work day at the times Peter specified, for the last 18 months and I agree it's a MYTH. I can count the times on one hand where I been held up for more than 15 mins. Hopefully no one will believe me and continue to divert, leaving my way clearer. Ian.
2164.9	That proves it, then!	HEWIE::RUSSELL	Just a SAP fall guy...	`Fri Oct 15 1993 17:21`	7
	.8 proves what I've often said - I was born unlucky! I don't use that route every day, probably 4 or 6 times a month on average, and I usually get held up badly at those times. Peter.
2164.10	My 2p.	CMOTEC::JASPER	Stuck on the Flypaper of Life	`Mon Oct 18 1993 15:08`	10
	...Beats me why Hockley wasnt given a flyover/Underpass instead of digging out enough earth to build a Banana Republic. There are several 50 mph sections of M5 built to a lower standard, they seem to work without having moved mountains. I am not a Hockley regular, but I generally get snagged there. The other place is on the M4/A33. where there is serious underspending. What ever happened to balanced decisions ? Tony.
2164.11	myth myth myth nah nah na nun na!!!! :-)	UKEDU::BUSHEN	I've won a paper clip!!!!	`Mon Oct 18 1993 15:57`	14
	_most_ days it's no problem 10 mins delay every now and then (esp. summer - and bloomin' caravans) it is bad. 2 hours when they drilled through the power to the lights must be the worse I've been stuck in!! If the Council just got rid of the junction there would be no delay - we don't need a motorway just a bridge over where the lights are now - and let the traffic merge with the MA33 on either side using existing roads. But what do I know? While we use cars we give coucils etc no choice.... but then again I move at the end of the month - I may even cycle into work!!!