Topic ID 7301
Hi all, Having literally been counting the days until my other half and I could escape the pit of North London and move to Hertford I'm now faced with the dilemma of how to get back there for work. I need to get from the eastern tip of Foxholes across to Finchley High Road near Whetstone. I did it this morning by going through the town and then picking up the B158 to Potters Bar and then on through Cockfosters. It was a pretty easy run (especially the B158, which was a very pleasant way to start the day...) but I can imagine it would get a bit fraught when the schools go back. Are there any alternatives? The A10 takes me too far east into London, so really I have to either take the back roads across to Potters Bar/Enfield type area or maybe try the A1 (although that sounds potentially problematic in the rush hour too). I was wondering if there was a convenient way to pick up the B158 without going through the town (starting from Vixen Drive type area) or any other options? Maybe I could begin on the A10 and cut across country? Hope this is the right section to post this in. [:)]
Reply ID 94866
Chris it really depends on what time you travel - the route you've described is OK until just after 8 otherwise the traffic starts backing up towards the Rush Green roundabout or on the Stanstead/Ware Road into town. The route into N. London is the one I would take to your destination but as you are probably aware can be subject to hold-ups at any point. If you have the flexibility its the time of you leaving home and work that will largely influence your journey.
Reply ID 94867
I rather suspected that'd be the case. To be honest, unless it's horrendous during term time anything I do to modify the Hertford end of the trip is probably going to be inconsequential compared to the delays at the London end. Just curious really - I've noticed quite a few people coming out of the Little Berkhampsted turning on the B158 and that got me wondering if there was a back route.
Reply ID 94868
There is a back route that you can pick up around Hoddesdon from White Stubbs or Cock Lane but in reality its going to take you as long to get there as it is to get through Hertford. I'm assuming you've found the little short cut from the A414 slip road (if you go that way) via Hagsdell and Queens Road.
Reply ID 94869
There is no easy back route, (the 158 is the back route! ) without going into Hoddesdon, if you go to Hertford Heath you would have to go through Hoddesdon to pick up the road through to Little Berkhamstead/ Newgate Street and that is a lot worse. That's why if the M25 closes everything backs up on the 414............ I go L B way to Crews Hill twice a week and it is fine at 5.30 AM [:D] Seriously I used to go to PB every morning via Essendon and rarely had any problems, I know it a few years ago but I don't think its changed much. I think if you are fairly early you will be Ok as far as PB but after that you could get stuck in Barnet..............
Reply ID 94870
quote:Nope, literally moved in yesterday. [:)] Looking at the map, that looks like it might be better than the Stanstead Rd/Ware Rd route I took this morning.
Originally posted by Golden
I'm assuming you've found the little short cut from the A414 slip road (if you go that way) via Hagsdell and Queens Road.
Reply ID 94871
A1 to Stirling Corner, do a left at the roundabout , right at the Gate pub down Hendon Wood Lane then left at the junction over Totteridge Common will get you to Whetstone. I go this way to Brunswick Park near New Southgate and do it in about 45 mins leaving around 6.45
Reply ID 94872
Hello Chris. Welcome to Hertford!
Reply ID 94874
quote:I would "like" this route also. Is there still that semi posh chippy "Two Brothers" (or similar?) on the High Road? It was good 10-15 years ago! Having "semi retired" from driving about all over North London for years I don't think you can over-emphasise the value of prising yourself out of bed half or even an hour earlier to make morning journeys so much less taxing!
Originally posted by Leo Densian
A1 to Stirling Corner, do a left at the roundabout , right at the Gate pub down Hendon Wood Lane then left at the junction over Totteridge Common will get you to Whetstone. I go this way to Brunswick Park near New Southgate and do it in about 45 mins leaving around 6.45
Reply ID 94875
Oh - and welcome as well.
Reply ID 94942
Cheers all. Found the Hagsdell Road cut-through yesterday. This morning I went off exploring through Hertford Heath. Quite a pleasant drive, but it didn't seem to gain anything really. Out of interest, is there a 'back way' across to the A1? The only route I can see from Foxholes is A414 into the town centre and then across, which would probably negate any benefits you get from going down the motorway.
Reply ID 94943
quote:No back way to the A1 except as before going through to Potters Bar or Welham Green / Hatfield and picking it up there but I don't think that would save anything.
Originally posted by Chris71
Cheers all. Found the Hagsdell Road cut-through yesterday. This morning I went off exploring through Hertford Heath. Quite a pleasant drive, but it didn't seem to gain anything really. Out of interest, is there a 'back way' across to the A1? The only route I can see from Foxholes is A414 into the town centre and then across, which would probably negate any benefits you get from going down the motorway.
Reply ID 94976
On a related note, what's the best way to get onto the A1 at peak times? I found the rather convoluted junction between the A414 and the A1 pretty busy this morning. I guess at a stretch, I could use the B1000 behind Welwyn and join the A1 a junction higher up.
Reply ID 94977
Chris, we always use the B1000 to Welwyn when going North as it is the quickest way but we are going North and not in the rush hour. We are also that side of Hertford and the only time I cross Hertford in rush hour (when taking my son rowing) it is through Hertford that is the problem.
Reply ID 94980
quote:Hi Kate, I figured I could use the B158 to bypass the eastern bit of Hertford and take me to the B1000 roundabout. Probably takes longer overall, but a more pleasant way of doing things. Similarly, if going an extra junction up meant I didn't have to sit in any jams going southbound I'd be happy to add a few minutes to the morning commute for a less stressful journey. For northbound journies on the A1, I did wonder about the A602 as well. I live virtually within sight of the A10, so I could get to the Hertford end of that very quickly and then cut across. (I hasten to add I travel a lot for work and I'm hoping to suss this all out before the schools go back, I don't just have an unhealthy interest in the local road network!)
Originally posted by Kateg28
Chris, we always use the B1000 to Welwyn when going North as it is the quickest way but we are going North and not in the rush hour. We are also that side of Hertford and the only time I cross Hertford in rush hour (when taking my son rowing) it is through Hertford that is the problem.
Reply ID 94984
My OH works in Stevenage and he always uses the A602 but..... If we are going to visit his family in Stotfold, we use the B1001. For reasons I am not sure I fully know it is quicker to Knebworth junction.
Reply ID 94987
quote:You will generally find the A1 queuing from the tunnel almost as far as Stevenage on some mornings so my advice would be to go A414
Originally posted by Chris71
On a related note, what's the best way to get onto the A1 at peak times? I found the rather convoluted junction between the A414 and the A1 pretty busy this morning. I guess at a stretch, I could use the B1000 behind Welwyn and join the A1 a junction higher up.
Reply ID 94988
I'd echo that - there were problems on the M25 this morning that may have worsened the situation but its normally quite straightforward - maybe a couple of changes of lights but that's all. I did the journey for 20 years and didn't find a good alternative; if you like country driving there's a few routes that meander through Potters that lead to trotters bottom (oh missus!) but they won't save you any time - worth finding a few other routes though for when the detritus really hits the fan as it does occasionally.
Reply ID 94989
My 2p worth; A414 towards Hertford town, Turn left into Mangrove Road, Right in to Hagsdell Road, Left on to Bullocks Lane, then left at mini roundabout and travel all the way through Essendon. Just keep driving on the B158 after Essendon, turn left to take you to Potters Bar, go straight over every traffic light until you reach Barnet, and then continue to Whetstone/ North Finchley. You miss out the A1 altogether. There are some quicker routes and you might find them out.
Reply ID 95001
quote:I've tried a few variations now and the B158 does seem to be the best. I guess a totally clear run up the A1/A414 might be quicker, but I would imagine that's quite an uncommon occurrence. FWIW, this morning I did the cut through described above, B158, through Potters Bar, A1000 to Hadley, down Hadley Common, round the back of New Barnet Station, along road that runs past Oakleigh Park Station and then up to the High Road. The only obvious route I haven't tried so far is the A10. Given I can practically see it from the house it does seem quite tempting. I think I'd have to take it right the way to Edmonton, though, to make it worthwhile - bad idea?
Originally posted by James007
My 2p worth; A414 towards Hertford town, Turn left into Mangrove Road, Right in to Hagsdell Road, Left on to Bullocks Lane, then left at mini roundabout and travel all the way through Essendon. Just keep driving on the B158 after Essendon, turn left to take you to Potters Bar, go straight over every traffic light until you reach Barnet, and then continue to Whetstone/ North Finchley. You miss out the A1 altogether. There are some quicker routes and you might find them out.
Reply ID 95048
once you get past the M25 and it slows down to 40mph, the traffic can get pretty bad on the A10. It's bad enough outside rush hour sometimes, especially travelling back.
Reply ID 95049
Depending on the time the A10 through Cheshunt and Enfield can be one big traffic jam , unless you go really early I would stick with the 158 I think!
Reply ID 95050
I thought as much! Shame, because it's a pretty direct route from my front door otherwise...
Reply ID 95052
quote:You can try it of course but I think you would find it slower...............
Originally posted by Chris71
I thought as much! Shame, because it's a pretty direct route from my front door otherwise...