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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that driving around Reading town centre is shit scary?

66 replies

lolaflores · 17/10/2011 17:41

It is the most monstrous place to navigate. I am sure there are loads of Readingondions on here ready to kick my arse into space. But, I am not familiar with the place and it was a nightmare. I

OP posts:
frownieface · 17/10/2011 17:48

YANBU

Original poster
lolaflores · 17/10/2011 17:54

Thank you frownie. I had the SatNav with me, otherwise I reckon I would still be in an underground car park hunting rats for dinner

OP posts:
VeryLittleGhastliness · 17/10/2011 17:56

YABU

A shit scary place to drive through would be N. Croydon in full-flow riot

Reading is not even close IMO (first hand experience of both BTW)

iamjustlurking · 17/10/2011 17:57

I am a Readingondions where are you trying to negiotate ? I suppose I am used to it but is alot of one way routes and rush hour probably not the easiest time. Will put kettle on incase you end up my side of town :o

mumblechum1 · 17/10/2011 17:58

Reading is a bit of a ballache. I got a ticket recently for driving in a bus lane there, just didn't see any sign at all

RustyBear · 17/10/2011 17:59

I have known someone take 2.5 hours to get out of the Oracle car park - that's a normal rush hour, not the day of the Big Snow, that day, people just gave up.

Unless I'm buying loads of stuff I always take the train to Reading, it's only 3.75 from Wokingham, which is less than the cost of the parking unless you're only staying a very short time.

Original poster
lolaflores · 17/10/2011 18:01

DD in uni there so was dropping her back and decided on a bit of lunch. Oracle car park when I found it was fine. But we went round and round, under fly overs etc. and then getting back out to her halls. It just seems to have been fiddled with on a massive level. MAD!

OP posts:
MrsMellowDrummer · 17/10/2011 18:03

YANBU.

Driving around Reading always makes me cry. Real tears.

I once drove all the way there, failed completely to get into the Oracle, so drove all the way to Basingstoke instead. And it's not like I love Basingstoke either...

nancerama · 17/10/2011 18:06

YANBU. I've lived there on and off for about 30 years. They're constantly tinkering with one way systems and roads that are restricted at certain times. I still get lost and feel for visitors to the town.

Panzee · 17/10/2011 18:08

YANBU. I learnt to drive there. It was exhilarating. Shock

purplewerepidj · 17/10/2011 18:11

DP, who lived and drove in Paris for a while, agrees with you wholeheartedly - YANBU

scrappydappydoo · 17/10/2011 18:12

YANBU - I am ALWAYS in the wrong lane!

Meglet · 17/10/2011 18:15

I've only done it a few times. Got lost.

The train is much easier. And cheaper than stumping up for the Oracle car park these days.

ChippingInToThePumpkinLantern · 17/10/2011 18:15

Reading is shit to drive around because the signs are so crap, it's all one way systems and is just generally frustrating. However, having worked there for a couple of months recently I finally feel I have a bit of a grip on it and don't get lost so often. Before working there I would rather have driven in Paris or London - Naples or Barcelona... in fact, pretty much anywhere else!

reelingintheyears · 17/10/2011 18:19

Northampton is hellish.

I cry when i have to go through Northampton.

And shout and swear.

The road signs on the tarmac which are hidden when cars have the audacity to stop on them at the hideous amount of traffic lights.

When i die Northampton will be where i go if there is a hell.!Grin

muddyvampsters123 · 17/10/2011 18:23

The roads around the Oracle are a nightmare.
All the bloody roadworks.
I don't know why DS1 loves it so much. ( all the shiney stuff i expect!) [hshock]

gallicgirl · 17/10/2011 18:24

I once went around the same roundabout 4 times (not all at once to get dizzy) trying to get out of Warrington. It was like Groundhog Day.

Tanith · 17/10/2011 18:27

YANBU

I always got the impression that the town planners had a warped sense of humour and just love confusing the hell out of everyone.

I had lived there for 25 years so you'd think I'd know my way around. I went away for 2 weeks. On my return, I thought I'd drive into town. Just a 20 minute drive.

I encountered 2 new dead ends, a one way street that had changed direction and I passed the road I wanted 3 times before I could actually drive down it. When I eventually got to the carpark, it had gone. Just a big pile of rubble. They'd demolished while I was away.
It really was quite surreal! It was my home town and yet, subtly, it wasn't any more. I gave up at that point and went home.

And if you think I'm exaggerating, you try to get to the Abbey Gateway direct from the town centre (if you still can!).

harassedandherbug · 17/10/2011 18:30

YANBU

I'd rather drive in London than Reading.

schobe · 17/10/2011 18:31

Just the fact that you've ended up in Reading is shit scary. I'm out now.

maresedotes · 17/10/2011 18:33

I've never driven round Reading but would like to say that Plymouth is the most confusing place to drive I reckon (may go to Reading now to compare and contrast...)

Dawndonna · 17/10/2011 18:36

I've never done Reading either. The only place I have ever got lost is Ipswich, that's a bloody nightmare. Thought I could handle anything after taking my driving lessons on the 'magic roundabout' in Hemel Hempstead. So wrong.
www.tachoblog.com/tachoblog-magic-roundabout/magic-roundabout-hemel-hempstead-sign/

EdlessAllenPoe · 17/10/2011 18:42

yanbu, though once i'd done it a few times it got easier. London is much harder

chabbychic · 17/10/2011 18:45

Aw Reading's brill. And once you know all the little back routes it becomes a joy Smile.

CMOTdibbler · 17/10/2011 18:47

YANBU - Reading is a complete nightmare, and the only place I know that seems to get more and more difficult to navigate. I go to a lot of cities for work, and its the only one that I dread driving in, in spite of the fact that its somewhere I have been to regularly for 39 years, driving for 22

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