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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to go to London tomorrow?

63 replies

DIddled · 11/02/2014 08:17

Live in the north so arrive into Euston- afaik the tube strike is still on. It's lashing it down here- don't know what it's like in London at the moment. My teenager is sick, not desperately ill but off school. It's a five hour meeting- I think the expectation is that I can get to the financial district by walking- three miles , absolutely not an issue in good weather but if its anything like this? Am I being a mard arse?

OP posts:
Vatta · 11/02/2014 08:19

I wouldn't do that, unless it's a super important meeting for some reason. Euston to the city is a long (and not very nice) walk, and the weather is terrible at the moment.

CoffeeTea103 · 11/02/2014 08:21

I'm in central London and its raining. Can you try maybe get a cab to the meeting?

diddl · 11/02/2014 08:21

Would they stand you a cab if the strike is still on?

Furzella · 11/02/2014 08:22

Last week the Northern line was not too bad and that's the obvious route to the City from Euston. I'd be feeling grumpy too (have to drive to Reading today for a meeting and am feeling v narky about driving into flood zone) but I think you might not find the transport situation too bad. And yes, it's rainy but nothing an umbrella can't manage.

ShadowOfTheDay · 11/02/2014 08:23

Can't get to London from the West by train today.... running as far as Swindon only.... too much wet stuff in the way.....

stay home, it will only get worse, and the tube strike on top

Triliteral · 11/02/2014 08:23

Personally I'd be asking whether it was possible to take part in the meeting online. Not much point in risking going in, possibly not even making it to the meeting, or being late (and very uncomfortable if you are soaking wet).

Furzella · 11/02/2014 08:23

And you couldn't get cabs last week for love nor money unless you'd pre-booked with Addison Lee etc.

Roshbegosh · 11/02/2014 08:25

It depends on how important the meeting is and how much effort people will have made to be there. You can fight for a bus, join the queues for a cab or walk the three miles. Or not be there. How important is it? We do have a 'business as usual' attitude in London, that's why the south east is thriving. The lack of a work ethic away from here often shocks me.

Southeastdweller · 11/02/2014 08:26

I wouldn't bother at all. Make up an excuse not to come if you think your bosses wouldn't be sympathetic to your teenager being ill. I'm in central London at the moment and it's a pain in the butt just getting around short distances by foot in this crap weather and couldn't be doing with walking three miles.

Dolallytats · 11/02/2014 08:27

I wouldn't. It will take you hours. The roads will be rammed and there is going to be a massive queue for a cab. It took my daughter over 4 hours to do a 25min tube journey last week. She's dreading Thursday, luckily she has tomorrow off.

RosaParksIsBack · 11/02/2014 08:31

I'm supposed to be going down to Euston from Birmingham Thursday anyone know if it's possible by train or the floods have knackered it? Also can you egg cabs or foes the tube strike mean there aren't any? Got to get from Euston to London bridge

meditrina · 11/02/2014 08:33

The tube strike starts at 9pm this evening, and so even allowing for a wind down in the hour before that, you'll be OK on the tube for working hours today.

But if it's raining, cabs will as always, dissolve.

meditrina · 11/02/2014 08:36

This TfL page gives tube service updates.

And Blush for epic misreading of the title, as you're talking about tomorrow. Huge apologies.

Trills · 11/02/2014 08:36

YABU

Tube strike doesn't start until late this evening.

Even when the strike is on, some tubes are running.

Even if no tubes were running, there would be buses and cabs.

What makes you think that anyone expects you to walk?

AintNobodyHereButUsKittens · 11/02/2014 08:37

Northern line was fine last strike - faster than usual actually bro cause they missed our half the stops, and Victoria was pretty good in the central section. Depends what time you arrive. Before 7:30 will be impossible. 7:30-9:30 will be hell. 10am-4pm should be ok.

HandMini · 11/02/2014 08:39

Lucky you if you can just choose whether you attend or not. Obviously if it has no adverse impact to not go, then don't go.

Though I assume if you're required for a five hour meeting you have some role to play / something to present?

Could you perhaps dial in to the meeting?

I found London OK to get around in the strike last week - buses, walking and the odd tube running. Leave an extra half an hour to get everywhere. If you've only got one location to get to and from that makes it easier.

Trills · 11/02/2014 08:40

Before 7.30 won't be "impossible", it'll be "getting a bus or cab".

(sorry, I did the same thing meditrina did and thought you meant today)

SinglePringle · 11/02/2014 08:43

Northern Line to City last week was fine. I used it no bother.

Unless you are the Wicked Witch of the West (which I presume not), rain will not make any difference.

whois · 11/02/2014 08:46

Loads of options!

Wear trainers and an anorak and walk
Pre book an addy lee.
Get a bus.
Wear trainers and anorak and a helmet and Boris bike.

Don't be so wet OP! Tempting as it is to stay home, you can't really just miss work stuff because you don't fancy it.

whois · 11/02/2014 08:47

Or just check the tfl website and see which lines and services ARE going to run. Yours might be fine!

EmmelineGoulden · 11/02/2014 09:43

YABU. The tube strike is a fine reason to rearrange stuff, but not to fail to attend something that's running. There are plenty of transport options in London besides the tube. It will be a pain, but doable, to get to the financial district by public transport without walking 3 miles.

Use the Transport for London site to work out a decent route and an alternative (several underground lines will be running, there are plenty of buses) and leave a lot of extra time since things will be crowded. If you don't have an oyster card get an all-day travelcard or make sure to take plenty of change to pay for bus fares.

It's not necessary but can be helpful if you have a smart phone to download a couple of apps like travel delux or similar so you can look for a route while you're on the street if something changes and London Bus Live Countdown or similar so you can see when the next bus will be at a stop.

chipshop · 11/02/2014 10:30

Oh god, wish I hadn't seen this thread, in the same boat. My work have booked me on a train down south that gets me into Euston at 8am tomorrow. I've got to get to Canary Wharf for a 9.30am start. I'm happy to get a cab and claim it back and but I have visions of it being impossible? Will the Northern Line be ok though? NOT looking forward to this...

CajaDeLaMemoria · 11/02/2014 10:34

Northern Line is fine at the moment. If you want a cab, book one now.

Honestly, it's not that bad. It's not great, and it's bloody annoying, but it's manageable. Hundreds of people are having to do it.

Plumpcious · 11/02/2014 10:36

London Underground have produced this information about the services they hope to run during the strike.

It lists the Underground lines and what service they might run (if any) and which stations are likely to be closed (although others might close during the day if they haven't enough staff).

According to that information the Northern Line should be running on both branches, at 5 minute frequencies. Euston, Moorgate, Bank, London Bridge AREN'T listed as expected closures.

So Euston to most stations on the Northern Line should be OK.

(Note that LU expect services to run only between 7am and 11pm, although that shouldn't be a problem for anyone traveling long distance into/out of London.)

ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 11/02/2014 10:38

Are the buses running?