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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the reason UK holidays can be shit is not the weather but the traffic?

398 replies

MrsBede · 20/08/2021 21:51

....and it's much worse this year?

I went from the Midlands to North Wales a couple of weeks ago and it took twice as long as it should have both there and back. Just got back from London and it took about 90 minutes longer than it should have. For both these trips it wasn't just one delay, but several unrelated ones - for the former every step of the journey pretty much had long delays. For London it's just the M1 - that was slow going there for a long stretch and on the way back my SAtnav recommended a detour and that had delays too.

As well as this, my city is being dug up here there and everywhere - I can think of about 5 different local routes that all have roadworks on them and ensuing delays - one was the bloody slip road when I finally got off the motorway today!

It just spoils everything - we're going to Hampshire for a few days next week and the thought that the 3.5 hour trip is likely to be more like 6 is really putting me off and I half feel like cancelling, which is very unlike me indeed. I certainly expect some delays when going longish distances but AIBU to think this year has been worse than ever, and it's not fair! (Yes, I'm tired and very pissed off...)

OP posts:
BecauseMyRingBurnsSheila · 20/08/2021 22:00

3 hour trip to and from holiday location took 5.5 hours. Arrrrgh!! Agree.

We have decided despite it being an excellent holiday we will never go back.

Our usual location takes 2 to 2.5 max. Hell I could be in Greece in 5/6 hours!!

lannistunut · 20/08/2021 22:02

Stop driving everywhere, your car is part of the problem.

vodkaredbullgirl · 20/08/2021 22:06

That's why I never go away in the holidays. The M5 can be like a big carpark both ways.

HungryHippo11 · 20/08/2021 22:06

No I think what makes them rubbish is how busy everywhere is because schools won't let people take time out during term time. Not just traffic (although that's part of it) but also huge queues at theme parks, massive crowds at beaches and venues, price hikes during the holidays.

SantaSue · 20/08/2021 22:08

@lannistunut

Stop driving everywhere, your car is part of the problem.
Totally agree with this. Why do people need to drive hours to go on holiday? Have a short break in your own county. We're destroying the planet with our way of living.
Original poster
MrsBede · 20/08/2021 22:10

@lannistunut

Stop driving everywhere, your car is part of the problem.
Well, getting to the location I went to in N Wales would be bear enough impossible without a car. I priced up London by train and it would have been nearly £300 for 3 of us - it was a fairly last minute decision to go. I do think that is part of the problem here though - the railway is only affordable for the fairly wealthy/those who can book ahead and don't need flexibility. Having lived in Italy and Spain (albeit a fair while ago) I think their railways are so much better and therefore used more and I do think that is a big factor in UK roads being so congested.
OP posts:
GrandDuchessRomanov · 20/08/2021 22:11

Seriously?

superram · 20/08/2021 22:12

I’ve just been to Devon from London on the train, it was virtually empty-lovely!

Original poster
MrsBede · 20/08/2021 22:13

@superram

I’ve just been to Devon from London on the train, it was virtually empty-lovely!
Yes - no one can afford it!
OP posts:
happysunr1se · 20/08/2021 22:14

Yes, I agree.
Driving back from Cornwall to inside M25 on the obligatory Friday or Saturday changeover day during school holidays can be almost 9 hours on the road with a couple of restbreaks taken.

The a303 is horrible, I have cursed it many times, but all that archeology is precious.

If we hadn't inhabited this land for so long there would be less important buildings and historic features and we could make nice straight wide roads that take us where we want as quick as possible like in the USA Grin

Original poster
MrsBede · 20/08/2021 22:17

Have a short break in your own county.

Fuck, yes. That will make life worth living...work all year to have a short break in my own county - wow! Talk about joyless...

I don't mean to be flippant about the state of the environment but lord...does it have to come to that?

OP posts:
GettingUntrapped · 20/08/2021 22:20

Indeed, a short break in your own county... Hang me now!

MinesAMassiveSalad · 20/08/2021 22:21

Trains are very expensive for a family.

MinesAMassiveSalad · 20/08/2021 22:21

We use trains abroad and marvel at the low prices.

NailsNeedDoing · 20/08/2021 22:23

Yabu, but only because the weather is equally as shite as the traffic.

Darkchocolateandcoffee · 20/08/2021 22:24

LOL at 'a short break in your own county'!

I'm from west London. Should I spend my summer in a Travelodge on Murder Mile?

MarleneDietrichsSmile · 20/08/2021 22:26

Sorry, yes it is really bad this year

Ironically, I am stuck in Hampshire and travelling North to see friends is too daunting this year , the M1 but is particularly awful, and the m3 and M27 in Hants have so many delays (esp if heading for New Forest)

I think this year traffic is worse, as so many people have stayed in the U.K.

Best to mentally prepare for it, bring sweets and treats and a nice playlist

Still good to get a change of scene

AimingForSerenity · 20/08/2021 22:30

Traffic is a nightmare but there is no alternative as this country doesn't have good public transport either.

We travel regularly from Lancashire to visit family in SW London but are finding it worse every time. Trains are regularly delayed or cancelled and linking from trains, tubes, buses, etc can be a nightmare. Our last train journey was dreadful so we decided to drive the following time. Driving on a clear run, according to Google Maps takes about 4 and 3/4 hours but our last trip took over 8 and 1/2 door to door.
It was noticeably worse North of Birmingham which I suspect is because the infrastructure is worse in the North

lazylinguist · 20/08/2021 22:31

YABU. Yes the traffic can be awful. But you soon forget about that once you're enjoying your lovely holiday. Except... I've just come back early from a week's camping because of the awful weather. The traffic on the journey both ways was indeed rubbish, but that wasn't what made the holiday a wash-out!

KatherineJaneway · 20/08/2021 22:33

Trip to Wales was 3.5 hours longer than usual

BecauseMyRingBurnsSheila · 20/08/2021 22:33

@lannistunut

Stop driving everywhere, your car is part of the problem.
😂😂😂

That's hilarious!

A few years ago DH and I wanted to go to Edinburgh by train. It was cheaper to fly to Prague, so we did.

Until the government gets a proper grip on the railways it will continue to be a ridiculous thing to say.

ShaunaTheSheep · 20/08/2021 22:35

Why are you all being sheep and travelling at the busiest times to and from popular locations? Baffling.

MrsFin · 20/08/2021 22:35

Have you ever driven across Europe? We've driven to Czech Rep a couple of times - the traffic jams are horrendous in some places.
Also some French autoroutes in the summer holidays. Around Lyon as just one example. We've queued for hours there. Also round Paris.

Icequeen01 · 20/08/2021 22:37

@ShaunaTheSheep

Why are you all being sheep and travelling at the busiest times to and from popular locations? Baffling.
Unfortunately both DH and I work in a school so no choice but to go on holiday now!
LadyCatStark · 20/08/2021 22:38

FFS first we were told that we’re destroying the planet if we go abroad and now we’re not even allowed to leave the bloody county!

I agree that the traffic does ruin holidays but not as much as the weather does so YABU and YANBU.