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Original poster

Long tube ride or drive closer?

14 replies

Aworldofmyown · 05/01/2023 11:06

Going to see a show with my daughter. Train strikes now mean we can't get home.
Would you park at Westfield shopping Centre knowing its a large car park and the shopping centre will be closed or stay on the tube for much longer to Shenfield.
I'm a little nervous about our safety tbh

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 05/01/2023 11:09

Personally I’d get the tube. It’s perfectly safe and at night out going home time there will be lots of people around anyway. If you do use the car park, check opening hours before you park up: not all of them are open 24/7 and I think one of them shuts as early as 11pm. A car park will also be perfectly safe, brightly lit with CCTV.

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 05/01/2023 11:11

Sorry do you mean the Elizabeth Line to Shenfield? If so, I think that is also affected by strikes. I have not used it before, but have parked at Westfield and got to my car late at night and its still relatively busy. Its very well lit, with loads of cameras and occasional security walking about. IIRC car park A is 24 hour entry/access and the others are not. If you are coming from the East, personally I would drive in and park just outside of the congestion zone just before Tower Hill - I assume that ULEZ is no problem as Westfield is inside of it.

I can recommend the Just Park app to prebook a car parking space near to Tower Hill and then the underground is a short walk away.

BloodAndFire · 05/01/2023 11:14

What do you think those of us who live in London do to get home? I've been on the tube late at night as a teenager, while pregnant, with my own kids as babies/toddlers/primary age etc?

GimmeBiscuits · 05/01/2023 11:18

Drive to a central line station (assuming you are in essex, by your mention of Shenfield). Park at their car park, or see what on street parking is like nearby/paid driveway parking.
You can get the tube right into central London.

Tamarindtree · 05/01/2023 11:25

You’ll be fine unless you are incapacitated by alcohol.

ShadowPuppets · 05/01/2023 11:29

I live in a different direction (South) but I've often driven up to Morden and gone all the way into C London from the terminus, if I'm coming back late at night and don't fancy being at the mercy of the last train. TBH the tube is much faster than London traffic (at least in the evening when you're on your way in) so there's really no point driving further in to catch the same tube.

Glitteratitar · 05/01/2023 11:31

What worries you that makes you scared for your safety?

Original poster
Aworldofmyown · 05/01/2023 11:39

I'm fine on the tube in Central London, its being on it to the end of the line late at night that bothers me. It always used to be very quiet.
Not a personal attack on people who live in London 🙄 I'm just not used to it and my daughter is 13.

OP posts:
Glitteratitar · 05/01/2023 11:45

Aworldofmyown · 05/01/2023 11:39

I'm fine on the tube in Central London, its being on it to the end of the line late at night that bothers me. It always used to be very quiet.
Not a personal attack on people who live in London 🙄 I'm just not used to it and my daughter is 13.

If you’re worried then go to Westfield and park there. I’ve often been in the Westfield car park late (out for cinema or dinner in Westfield) and it’s been completely fine.

Whycanineverever · 05/01/2023 12:16

Aworldofmyown · 05/01/2023 11:39

I'm fine on the tube in Central London, its being on it to the end of the line late at night that bothers me. It always used to be very quiet.
Not a personal attack on people who live in London 🙄 I'm just not used to it and my daughter is 13.

I often get a late tube after a show or concert and it's usually fairly busy.

BloodAndFire · 05/01/2023 13:04

Aworldofmyown · 05/01/2023 11:39

I'm fine on the tube in Central London, its being on it to the end of the line late at night that bothers me. It always used to be very quiet.
Not a personal attack on people who live in London 🙄 I'm just not used to it and my daughter is 13.

My daughter is about the same age. My mum still travels home alone late on the tube and she's 75!

We live near the end of a different tube line.

You'll be fine.

But if you are really anxious then do something else. Seems a lot of faff though.

BloodAndFire · 05/01/2023 13:06

Also, honestly I'd be more worried about a massive car park with no one around than a tube. The tube is brightly lit, the driver has cctv and can see in all the carriages. Stations will be staffed or at least brightly lit.

A multi storey car park sounds much riskier to me personally.

NotRainingToday · 05/01/2023 13:08

I often park at Epping (last stop on Central line) and get the tube into town. It's not that quiet late at night and definitely not a dangerous or risky journey! Very convenient actually.

ShadowPuppets · 05/01/2023 16:56

Also, if there are train strikes the tube will be much busier as everyone will be doing the same as you :)

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