Eurotunnel

[DANE]

A260's a good option if stack is on, compared to the gridlock of Canterbury.

The maidstone/ashford side routes are getting much busier when stack is on, as the A260 is a bit south its a good choice.

Do avoid the A20 South full of very grumpy single line of motorists mostly with no rear view visibility due to taking too much holiday gear, and driving skills and courtesy levels have dropped.

Personally I would avoid being in Canterbury between 08.30 - 18.30 weekdays and weekend unless you want to study the beautiful city walls whilst you get in line for the next roundabout.

 

[DANE]

Flipfly
That's not the route you would really want, too much stopping for parked cars and very narrow potholed roads.

You are best to go on one more roundabout, 3rd exit for Old Dover Road, at second set of traffic lights turn right onto Nackington Road.

The Chequers pub at Petham 3 miles along on the right is good for a bite to eat at fair price.

 

[Flipfly]

Thanks. We are getting a 6.30am crossing so Canterbury should be fine for us hopefully.

 

[Giles]

Yes! or A2, then A251 to challock then A252 to A28, then turn right into Chartham onto Shalmsford street (ride past my gaff!) and take the 'downs road' all the way to Stone street ...
Good biking roads too!!!

 

[Rasher]

if youre travelling by bike you'll be fine. Just allow an extra couple of hours to suffer the diversion route. Hard going in a car, but easy peasy if you're happy filtering for thirty odd miles.

Thanks Giles.

My problem is not so much stack and getting down there, and I could potentially grab a hotel nearer the night before, the problem is getting a 4+ hour delay on arrival as I have two stops on the way down to the SOF and that sort of delay will really bugger up my schedule for the entire trip.

I have heard even once you get to check in you are not going to get the time slot you have booked and paid for even on a good day.

 

[rodsharp]

Masses of good info on here now ,thanks to all you guys who know the area . Hope not too many see your routes or they will get choked as well . Bit better news Sunday ,hope better still after the weekend.

 

[DANE]

Have a couple of friends both have lovely rural B&B 's close by the tunnel (7 miles), also camp site by Stone Street would recommend.

If your interested in this local accommodation PM me for info.

 

[Tricky]

If it is on, then my recommendation would be to avoid the M20 altogether and head east on the A/M 2, and into Canterbury.

Your only buggeration with this route is that the city ring road can get bad at rush hour. Head for the B2068 'stone street' (sat nav Nackington if it helps) . Stone street heads due south from Canterbury, is as straight as a die (old roman road) all the way to junc 11, where you can drop the 1/2 mile down to 11a.

Took this excellent advice a few weeks ago on my way to Garmisch. Quick and easy and nice Hop Farms on the way.

 

[Rasher]

I considered a nearby B&B but Eurotunnel will not let me change my time as I did not buy a Flexi-Ticket.

Funny how I cannot ask them to move my journey forward a few hours to ensure after their delays I will end up no later than my original crossing time - which they can flex backwards as many hours as they like.

If getting a B&B I would end up arriving about 3 hours early, and then having to wait 3 hours for my "Scheduled" time which could be running another 4 hours late - This will be my last trip with them, I know the problems are beyond their control, but they are doing very little to assist their clients, they seem to take the attitude that they have my money and I can go f*** myself, even if my wishes may help ease their problems.

 

[Frankh]

I have always turned up as early as I like, take the ticket, ignore the letter on the ticket and timings, then ride through and get on the next available crossing. Never been stopped or turned back as yet!!

 

[Flipfly]

I have always turned up as early as I like, take the ticket, ignore the letter on the ticket and timings, then ride through and get on the next available crossing. Never been stopped or turned back as yet!!

Take this advice, they may charge you extra, or just let you on, but we've always turned up early and got sorted for no more than £20.

 

[Rasher]

Take this advice, they may charge you extra, or just let you on, but we've always turned up early and got sorted for no more than £20.

Sounds like a good tip, turn up and jump the queue, at Alton Towers you would get thrown out, but here it seems you just get fined - I will happily pay an extra £20.

With a bike I dunno why they do not just line them up and squeeze them on the ends as they find space, every time I have gone their has been room for another bike or three, once got separated in a group of 5, the 2 that got loaded (me and a mate) where at the end of the train where there was space for another 4-5 bikes but we ended up waiting over 2 hours for them at the other side.

If I do not abort entirely I will try this, currently trying to find a reasonably priced ferry option, Hook of Holland is coming out at £400 (No Thanks) Newhaven to Dieppe by DFDS cannot be priced as their website crashes when you select Motorcycle.

The last other option is to move back to after the School Holidays where hopefully it won't be as bad and the immigrants / strikers will not be able to cause quite as much turmoil

 

[Giles]

Stack on ....

 

[Guigsy]

I biked around Europe last week. We went to book just as the Dover-Calais issues were getting bad about a month ago. Rather than risk it, we decided to take the ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge instead. It runs an overnight sailing each way. Costs roughly as much as a Eurotunnel + hotel and means you'll wake up fresh on the other side.

 

[stolzy]

I biked around Europe last week. We went to book just as the Dover-Calais issues were getting bad about a month ago. Rather than risk it, we decided to take the ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge instead. It runs an overnight sailing each way. Costs roughly as much as a Eurotunnel + hotel and means you'll wake up in bed with a Romanian lorry driver you met in the disco .

Come on, we've all done it. Its a kind of rite of passage.

 

[Rasher]

Stack on ....

I don't suppose there is a website with up to date info anywhere?

Pretty much exhausted other options now.

 

[Giles]

Go Twitter ... Either highways Twitter account (South East) or @kent police bikes ....

 

[Bungy]

I'm travelling on Thursday with the family and the caravan and have a vision for the return trip arriving at home with 20+ unwelcomes sat relaxing in the van making a brew.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

Go Twitter ... or @kent police bikes ....

I'm scared to look on there in case you've been posting selfies

 

[Monty]

I'm travelling on Thursday with the family and the caravan and have a vision for the return trip arriving at home with 20+ unwelcomes sat relaxing in the van making a brew.

As long as they make you a brew as well, everyone's a winner!

Matt