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UK's least favourite motorway revealed as drivers brand it 'road to hell'

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    UK's least favourite motorway revealed as drivers brand it 'road to hell'

    No prizes for guessing, the M25 takes the crown. Just wait until the traffic servicing the third runway at Heathrow joins the party.

    The M25 - London’s orbital motorway - has been voted the ‘road to hell’ as it marks its 30th anniversary, according to a poll. A survey of 23,500 drivers found that 30% said the M25 was their most hated to drive on, more than double its nearest rival the M6 at 11%. Officially opened by Margaret Thatcher in 1986, it is now the busiest motorway in Europe, with approximately 200,000 vehicles using the 117-mile road on a daily basis. Numerous traffic jams have led to drivers frequently poking fun at them. Often dubbed “Britain’s largest carpark”, it was also the inspiration to Chris Rea ’s 1989 song “The Road to Hell”. Jack Cousens, of the AA - who carried out the poll, said “The M25 is an important strategic road, but it is subject of much derision from the public. “Once a tourist attraction with regular bus tours and the bane of police with M25 racers, the London orbital motorway has evolved into a road of significant importance not just in Britain but for Europe too.” Nine facts about the M25 :: At 117 miles it is the second longest city bypass in Europe, behind the 122-mile Berliner Ring in Germany :: The section to the west of London around Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest parts of road in Europe :: The M25 has 33 junctions and 234 bridges, including the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing :: It was the inspiration for Chris Rea's 1989 hit song The Road To Hell :: The route was subject to no fewer than 39 public inquiries lasting a total of more than 700 sitting days :: The inquiries led to the doubling in length of the tunnel at Epping Forest in Essex and extensive cuttings near Swanley and Sevenoaks in Kent to shield an area of outstanding natural beauty :: In total, two million tonnes of concrete and 3.5 million tonnes of asphalt were used during construction :: More than 2.1 million trees and shrubs were also planted :: The full motorway construction at the time cost £909 million over 11 years, or roughly £7.5 million per mile
    source: UK's least favourite motorway revealed as drivers brand it 'road to hell' - Mirror Online
    "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

    #2
    Tons more to chose from here:

    Pathetic Motorways

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      #3
      Friend of mine's claim to fame he fell asleep on the middle lane of the M25, we had to search for him and take him home.

      It of course hadn't opened then.

      Blimey I have turned into Malcolm!
      Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by scooterscot View Post
        No prizes for guessing, the M25 takes the crown. Just wait until the traffic servicing the third runway at Heathrow joins the party.

        source: UK's least favourite motorway revealed as drivers brand it 'road to hell' - Mirror Online
        This reminds me of the M27-A27 south coast road. There is no direct route along the south coast to Dover, all heavy traffic has to go towards London, around the M25 and then back down to Dover. 30 years I regularly had to travel to Germany and the journey to Dover was a pain. The EU (European Structural Investment Fund) pledged funding for the M27 to extend from Portsmouth to Dover as it was considered an important European route. Various governments took only part of the funding and only a few miles of motorway extended. The money was there to be taken but the gross inefficiency of the local and national government and the lack of will meant that the funding was never taken advantage off. Had they done so, it would have relieved the M25 and boosted industry and exports.

        In mainland Europe you proudly see signs on motorways saying that it has been funded with EU money, in the UK, not only the don’t they put the signs up but they don’t bother to use the funding offered to them.
        "A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims, but accomplices," George Orwell

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          #5
          Originally posted by Paddy View Post

          In mainland Europe you proudly see signs on motorways saying that it has been funded with EU money, in the UK, not only the don’t they put the signs up but they don’t bother to use the funding offered to them.
          So it's not the EU's fault...
          "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

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            #6
            Originally posted by Paddy View Post
            The EU (European Structural Investment Fund) pledged funding for the M27 to extend from Portsmouth to Dover as it was considered an important European route. Various governments took only part of the funding and only a few miles of motorway extended.
            Yes dear. Of course they did. I mean any flavour of Government cocks a snook at "free money". Back on your meds before you give scooterscot a stiffy!
            “The period of the disintegration of the European Union has begun. And the first vessel to have departed is Britain”

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              #7
              Originally posted by shaunbhoy View Post
              Yes dear. Of course they did. I mean any flavour of Government cocks a snook at "free money". Back on your meds before you give scooterscot a stiffy!
              The funding was not for MPs to spend on a jolly. In order to receive the funding, the government had to actually build a motorway, something which seems a rather difficult and longwinded task with compulsory purchase of land etc. The other part was political, especially with the Tory Government; they were embarrassed to admit that the UK were being funded to upgrade the UK's 3rd world road infrastructure.
              "A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims, but accomplices," George Orwell

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                #8
                Originally posted by Paddy View Post
                The funding was not for MPs to spend on a jolly. In order to receive the funding, the government had to actually build a motorway, something which seems a rather difficult and longwinded task with compulsory purchase of land etc.
                So in other words, we should have stumped up the cash to build it ourselves then rely on a "EU Pledge" to get our capital outlay back?
                Mmm...can't see any flaws in THAT logic. I mean the EU are "all over" honouring pledges. Much like their annual "pledge" to publish audited and properly costed accounts every year.
                “The period of the disintegration of the European Union has begun. And the first vessel to have departed is Britain”

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by shaunbhoy View Post
                  So in other words, we should have stumped up the cash to build it ourselves then rely on a "EU Pledge" to get our capital outlay back?
                  Mmm...can't see any flaws in THAT logic. I mean the EU are "all over" honouring pledges. Much like their annual "pledge" to publish audited and properly costed accounts every year.
                  Other countries manage to build motorways in stages and on time and receive the funding. In particular, local authorities have not got a good reputation of spending money on roads that have been allocated to them. The money gets spent elsewhere
                  "A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims, but accomplices," George Orwell

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by scooterscot View Post
                    No prizes for guessing, the M25 takes the crown. Just wait until the traffic servicing the third runway at Heathrow joins the party.
                    Nice, wide bike lanes though....

                    Comment

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