Narrow motorway lanes

vbfg
vbfg Forum Participant Posts: 504
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edited September 2018 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I don't usually mind driving on motorways but dislike driving when there are only 2 narrow lanes and the M6 has quite a few stretches with just 2 lanes at the moment. I wondered if any sites have been affected due to members avoiding them as they are near to the motorways which are being upgraded.

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  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2018 #2

    I don't know if folks are put off from booking. I book before I consider routes and so it has no affect on my bookings

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #3
    We came down the M6 along the long stretch of roadworks yesterday and didn't feel uncomfortable, mainly due to the imposition of average speed. Can't see these would have any impact on bookings at all.
  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited September 2018 #4

    as long as you stick to your lane between the lines then not a problem for me. smile

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #5

    There are always roadworks somewhere on the m/ways so I can’t see this lot will make any difference to sites. 

    If you’re concerned, use the A roads where possible.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2018 #6

    It does not seem to have much if any effect on Ferry Meadows as it has been pretty full on the times we visited and there is major work  with narrow lanes ,affecting both the A1m and A14 both roads carry traffic for the site with 40mph limits for miles

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #7

    I have no problems with towing down these narrow lanes, but we do try to avoid congestion black spots and arrange our trips to do so where we can.

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited September 2018 #8

    I assume that you do not use sites which are accessed via twisty ,narrow roads and therefor miss much of the lake district and other scenic places which surely defeats the objective of touring!!cryundecided

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2018 #9

    No idea why you reach that conclusion?

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited September 2018 #10

    op states that he does not like driving on narrow lanes on a motorway which,in my experience,is a reasonably straight road with vehicles all travelling in the same direction!!!!therefor a twisty narrow country road must be an absolute nightmare for him/her.!!!

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2018 #11

    I am not keen on narrow motorway lanes. I can stay between the lines (so far) but I have reason to suspect that not all can laughing and there are more than just me on the motorway.

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2018 #12

    If a HGV can manage to keep between the lines of narrow lanes, then a car & even the widest of caravans will manage to.

  • Hedgehurst
    Hedgehurst Forum Participant Posts: 576
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    edited September 2018 #13

    I suppose the trouble is that HGV's sometimes wander, which is alarming enough when you're in a car without the box behind.
    We live around the j15 M1 area so have been unfortunately made all too used to narrow lanes from before the moment of getting our 'van two years ago.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2018 #14

    Indeed the HGVs do occasionally wander as do other vehicles

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #15

    Indeed. I particularly dislike those with lanes 1 and 2 narrow, lane 3 very narrow and HGV's permitted in lanes 1 and 2. ☹️

    Not so bad when HGV's confined to lane 1.😀

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2018 #16

    Most times it does state vehicles over +++ wide to straddle both both neaside lanes

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
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    edited October 2018 #17

    I share vbfg's dislike but then I dislike the M6 anyway whether in a car or motorhome. Being on the Wirral, using the M6 is not essential unless going north. I doubt there are many users of the M6 between Birmingham and the M61 junction who enjoy the driving experience at peak times or during roadworks.

    I keep away from sites affected by heavy traffic AND prime route roadworks as there are other sites to visit. I don't mind heavy traffic or roadworks, just not the two together. When I get out the motorhome, I don't want to sit in unnecessary heavy traffic and roadworks. It's not why I go on holiday.

    vbfg, I don't know where in Merseyside you live but I'm on the Wirral. We avoid the M6 south by going down through Nantwich or Whitchurch - as do many of the lorries from the Docks. We do use the M6 going north.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2018 #18

    Keep away from Germany thensurprised

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2018 #19

    I do notice that motorway lanes in the UK tend to be narrower than here on the Continent and that may be a bit disconcerting to those who have 8ft (2.44m) wide caravans which seem to be becoming ever more popular.

    The standard width of the nearside lane on a UK motorway is 3.65m, Lane 2 3.50m, Lane 3 3.40m, Lane 4 3.20m, whereas on the Continent the widths are 3.75 for the nearside lane and 3.50 for all other.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2018 #20

    Generally vehicles over 2.20m are not allowed to overtake in roadwork sections with reduced lane width on German motorways.

  • papgeno
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
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    edited October 2018 #21

    I don't mind narrow lanes as long as they are not lined by those concrete or metal blocks. They certainly concentrate your mind.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #22

    The standard width of the nearside lane on a UK motorway is 3.65m, Lane 2 3.50m, Lane 3 3.40m, Lane 4 3.20m

    Jings - by Lane 8 it will be down to a cycle path!

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited October 2018 #23

    won't affect people when towing as not allowed in lane 3 anyway.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2018 #24

     I live near Queensferry and also avoid M6 South of me

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #25

    won't affect people when towing as not allowed in lane 3 anyway.

    You are - if there are more than 3 lanes - OR - if you are leaving/joining the M8 in Glasgow where the slip roads are on the right hand side of the carriageway.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2018 #26

    I've never realised that the outer lanes were progressively narrower 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,195 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #27

    I didn't realise that, however, I have always felt lane 3 was "tight". Good to know my perception was correct 😉

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #28

    I find that often one of the road work lanes left open is tight, we use the M6 a lot, we've had to use it to get to places further north and unfortunately the smart motorway road works have been never ending. If you haven't been up that way for awhile it's not much fun. However it wouldn't stop us going anywhere you just have to watch out for the exits and get in the correct lane if you need to leave.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited October 2018 #29

    pernickety.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #30

    I am not keen on these either but they are wide enough for HGV's who are about 9 ft wide so I have room to spare with the caravan.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #31

    I've witnessed many wander around their lane, and sometimes outside but with extra care, and attention and awareness by all it should be less stressful. I'm afraid not all others apply these attributes mind, I had a Double Cab Pickup pulling a caravan attempt to overtake me in restricted lanes near Caterick on the A 1 last year. This forced me much closer to the concrete lane dividers than I wished to be and I was at max speed for the road works too in the inside lane. Not nice! Made we wonder if it was best to stay in the second lane and just cruise there at the stipulated speed.

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