And could anyone possibly tell me which is, roughly, the best toll booth to go through at the northern end of the Tyne Tunnel? When I went through last year, I used a booth on the left hand side, it was after dark, and I seemed to hit a series of "Give Way" signs. I've looked for a map of the new set-up, but can't find one. Going south was a dream!
Both tunnels are now fully open and temporary traffic management has been removed.
I'm in Whitley Bay at the moment, the petrol stations are busier than normal (i.e. queuing at this time of night, and at 9.30 in the morning) as of yet, I've not seen anywhere that hasn't got fuel. Whitley Bay Sainsburys has plenty in.
As for the new layout, coming from the south, they've taken out the roundabout before you go into the tunnel, it's 2 lanes, and brings you out where you used to. Depending on which part of the Bay you're heading to - either A19 to the Sainsbury's end, or Coast Road (A1058) to the sea front/centre.
I've just Googled London to Whitley Bay, and it's about 300 miles.
I'm in SW London, so it's 320 - 340 miles depending on which route I take, and which relatives we visit on the way. We're also planning on visiting an NT place called Wallington Hall, so the round trip is about 700 miles.
Both tunnels are now fully open and temporary traffic management has been removed.
Last time (September 2011, I believe) I came through the Tunnel in the dark; I came through the second toll booth, with a lorry on my left. Every time I tried to pass the lorry, I had a 'give way' on my right, with a vehicle in the lane. It later transpired that both I and the lorry wanted the (new) lane for the A1058 eastbound! I'm looking forward to going through in daylight.
I'm in Whitley Bay at the moment, the petrol stations are busier than normal (i.e. queuing at this time of night, and at 9.30 in the morning) as of yet, I've not seen anywhere that hasn't got fuel. Whitley Bay Sainsburys has plenty in.
As for the new layout, coming from the south, they've taken out the roundabout before you go into the tunnel, it's 2 lanes, and brings you out where you used to. Depending on which part of the Bay you're heading to - either A19 to the Sainsbury's end, or Coast Road (A1058) to the sea front/centre.
Thanks MarzBar; we're staying by the Morrisons' on Hillheads. Though if I'm going for petrol first thing Sunday morning, I usually drive to Sainsbury's just to get the engine warmed up before I switch off.
Thanks MarzBar; we're staying by the Morrisons' on Hillheads. Though if I'm going for petrol first thing Sunday morning, I usually drive to Sainsbury's just to get the engine warmed up before I switch off.
Just from monitoring the price, it's generally speaking cheaper to buy at Sainsburys here for some strange reason. For Hilheads, straight onto the coast road, and either off at the next junction or keep going to the end, past the big morrisons. 6 adn 2 3's which way you go IMO.
On my way home from work I had Radio 5 live on and they were doing a 10-minute piece on "not to panic buy" which was rather hilarious cos they were whipping it up as much as they could
Then they had some guy interviewing drivers in Liverpool and asking why they were queuing for fuel and this one guy said "well the prime minister said if you want to queue for petrol, you can" I just thought it was hilarious like the guy had been sitting by his radio awaiting the PM's permission to go out and queue :D
Now apart from the guy getting his Prime Ministers quotes slightly mixed up, this strike - if it happens - cant start for at least a couple of weeks if i understand it properly - so won't these people have used a good chunk of their panic bought fuel and need some more by then??
Surely the panic buyers are a far greater threat to the all-round availability of petrol than the actual strikers :cool:
I think it will go ahead, easter is coming up, and petrol shortages will ruin alot of people's plans. That is what the unions want. Hit public hard and petrol prices will soar.
well they will need to announce it tomorrow as there is a requirement for 7 days notice.
I'm guessing there's more cars per petrol station down south and other dense population areas. Late night queues and empty pumps at all my local petrol stations.
Who hasn't got a jerry can in the boot:eek: And i have 1 can for the lawnmower and one can for the chainsaw with an oil mix 50:1 in the garage. I'm a goner.
Anyone who fills up once a week like clock work needs to have an extra buffer zone to not get caught out.
I don't keep a jerry can in the boot, don't see the need, always been ok in 18 years of driving.
Thought of going there as well, but two in a day could be a bit arduous. And from Wallington we can drop down to Kirkharle; always a nice stop for a coffee.
Just from monitoring the price, it's generally speaking cheaper to buy at Sainsburys here for some strange reason. For Hilheads, straight onto the coast road, and either off at the next junction or keep going to the end, past the big morrisons. 6 adn 2 3's which way you go IMO.
As it happened I filled up at a place called Shildon, in County Durham. Had to wait behind one car, so hardly a queue. And unleaded was 3p a litre cheaper than down south.
I may try and squeeze a couple of gallons in on Sunday morning, but in theory I can do Wallington and back, and still have enough petrol to get home.
Here in west Yorkshire it's madness either the stations are empty or the independents are charging stupid prices. Down to possibly three days of fuel and struggling to find somewhere
Yes there was a fair few cars at stations around here today, a good 15-20 car queue at one. I did end up getting petrol near Whitley Bay so you're in luck OP.
Comments
As the OP doesn't want to just drive there, but also come back , it will be 600 miles, won't it?
His car won't do 600 miles on a tankful?
Don't know. I do know mine wouldn't, even though it is a diesel. 520-550 tops, depending what sort of journeys I do
As for the new layout, coming from the south, they've taken out the roundabout before you go into the tunnel, it's 2 lanes, and brings you out where you used to. Depending on which part of the Bay you're heading to - either A19 to the Sainsbury's end, or Coast Road (A1058) to the sea front/centre.
Sainsbury's junction 22 M25.
I'm in SW London, so it's 320 - 340 miles depending on which route I take, and which relatives we visit on the way. We're also planning on visiting an NT place called Wallington Hall, so the round trip is about 700 miles.
Last time (September 2011, I believe) I came through the Tunnel in the dark; I came through the second toll booth, with a lorry on my left. Every time I tried to pass the lorry, I had a 'give way' on my right, with a vehicle in the lane. It later transpired that both I and the lorry wanted the (new) lane for the A1058 eastbound! I'm looking forward to going through in daylight.
Thanks MarzBar; we're staying by the Morrisons' on Hillheads. Though if I'm going for petrol first thing Sunday morning, I usually drive to Sainsbury's just to get the engine warmed up before I switch off.
Just from monitoring the price, it's generally speaking cheaper to buy at Sainsburys here for some strange reason. For Hilheads, straight onto the coast road, and either off at the next junction or keep going to the end, past the big morrisons. 6 adn 2 3's which way you go IMO.
Then they had some guy interviewing drivers in Liverpool and asking why they were queuing for fuel and this one guy said "well the prime minister said if you want to queue for petrol, you can" I just thought it was hilarious like the guy had been sitting by his radio awaiting the PM's permission to go out and queue :D
Now apart from the guy getting his Prime Ministers quotes slightly mixed up, this strike - if it happens - cant start for at least a couple of weeks if i understand it properly - so won't these people have used a good chunk of their panic bought fuel and need some more by then??
Surely the panic buyers are a far greater threat to the all-round availability of petrol than the actual strikers :cool:
well they will need to announce it tomorrow as there is a requirement for 7 days notice.
I don't keep a jerry can in the boot, don't see the need, always been ok in 18 years of driving.
my fiesta only has a 9 gallon tank. Even driving sensibly I get around 400 miles per tank full.
That will be glorious if this weather stays, prefer Cragside myself though http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside/ its gorgeous. Enjoy
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/leeds-drivers-spark-panic-at-the-petrol-pumps-updated-1-4394579
if they do strike, is it just over easter or will the strikers dig in for a settlement?
Most small to medium petrol cars wont get anywhere near that.
Thought of going there as well, but two in a day could be a bit arduous. And from Wallington we can drop down to Kirkharle; always a nice stop for a coffee.
As it happened I filled up at a place called Shildon, in County Durham. Had to wait behind one car, so hardly a queue. And unleaded was 3p a litre cheaper than down south.
I may try and squeeze a couple of gallons in on Sunday morning, but in theory I can do Wallington and back, and still have enough petrol to get home.
nobody knows, its all speculation at the moment. Strikers know there won't be much sympathy for them is they cause mass disruption like last time.