To consider commuting into central London by car?

[Iorderedyouapancake]

I’m expecting to have to start work back in the office in the next couple of months but due to having a shielded member of the household am really very very worried about the prospect of getting back on the train and tube and potentially bringing Covid home with me. Is it completely insane to consider driving into central London a few days a week? Has anyone done that/considering it? I’d be aiming to be in the office by 7.30 then leave early to try to avoid some of the worst traffic.

thanks Random, I didn't know that but definitely don't intend to still be driving into London by then - it would literally be until there is some kind of vaccine or effective treatment that reduces the risk for those on the shielded list, I hope very much that will be with us within the next year.

@thatonehasalittlecar I think a scooter is a definite no as I'd be on the motorway for half an hour before coming into London. A motorbike is theoretically a good idea but not sure I'd be safe on one, have never even ridden a moped! Although free parking would make it appealing definitely

We’ve been encouraged to stay off public transport if possible, so it makes complete sense for you to use your car, even before you take into account that it costs less than or the same as trains and is significantly more comfortable.

@GinDaddyRedux I'm pretty confident parking will be OK as I've found several suitable car parks where I can book a space in advance to be sure of getting one, although will also look into JustPark for cheaper options. Having done a few quick sums electric definitely seems like a good option, I actually almost switched to an electric car just before lockdown started so have already done plenty of research and test drives etc.

Once you factor in congestion charge (as PP has mentioned) which is £15/day from next month and 7 days a week until 10pm, ULEZ (if applicable) and parking it will be prohibitively expensive for people to drive to London even though last week it was being encouraged
The CC change is meant to be temporary but they havent said what the time limit is and I think it has potential to just stay that way.
Unconnected to this thread but I've got a sneaking suspicion that banks will use the lock down working hours to change their opening hours too saying it worked well only being open 3 days a week and there isnt demand to go back to 5 or 6 days a week opening.

Just before lockdown I started driving to just outside congestion zone where car parks were cheaper with my bike on the back of the car and cycling in from there. Is that an option? I'm planning on carrying that on for a while when I have to go back in.

Are you sure you will be asked to go back to the office? Is it something you have been told specifically? Can you do your job from home? Lots of companies are putting in plans to return but are not going to mandate it for a long long time. London has a lot of challenges around public transport. Neither my husband and I are expecting to get back into the office this year. Just the challenges around getting people through the lifts will be huge so offices will be reserved for people with difficult home working environments to start with.

Just before lockdown I started driving to just outside congestion zone where car parks were cheaper with my bike on the back of the car and cycling in from there. Is that an option? I'm planning on carrying that on for a while when I have to go back in.

My DH is considering this although I'm worried about finding somewhere suitable/affordable to park.

Crosswordocelot- try to Q-Park, or just park. The further out the cheaper they are, so depends how far you want to travel. I like Q-Park at Queensway for West London then Cycle across Hyde park