There are plenty of ways to avoid the tunnel (and I really would avoid it if you'll be coming through any time close to rush hour - it's horrendous). All depends where you're going to and from of course, but it's worth checking on google maps or somewhere if there's a good alternative for you.
Well it's tomorrow afternoon that I'm going, I'm going to heaton which seems to be just at the other end of the tunnel. I think I'd prefer to do it that way than have to drive through the city centre. I'm not looking forward to using the tunnel, I did consider coming across the bridge next to the metro radio arena and going through the town but I think I'd find that more stressful.
Heaton's nowhere near the tunnel! You'll come out on the A19 and have to come up to the coast road and follow that into town. If I were you I'd stay on the A1 til the junction with the A167, stay on that til the junction with the A1058 - that's the coast road and has a major junction with chillingham road, the main road in heaton. The A167 is a bit of a wierd road, but you don't have to come into town at any point.
And you're right to avoid Newcastle city centre - I learned to drive here and I still won't go in if I can avoid it! The one way systems, bus only lanes etc are a nightmare.
Errodiel, would that mean I could avoid the TT and the town centre?!
Yep!
The A167 does feel like a town road at some parts between the A1 and the A1058, but it's always duel carriageway and if you keep a close eye on signage you shouldn't go wrong. The first mile or so of the A1058 is also a town road, but again 2 lanes all the way. Chillingham road is the first major junction, so if you find yourself on the actual duel carriageway you've gone too far!
If you take a look at this google map you can see that the A167 links the A1 and the A1058 nicely
PS I live in Heaton, think I could probably drive those roads in my sleep
How did you go, Mrs B? I went over the coast road/chilli road roundabout this morning just before 9am and saw that the slip road from the coast road was cordoned off for some reason. Suddenly felt very guilty, and hoped you'd gone the tyne tunnel way!
Well I asked my satnav for directions which would take me via the tt as I was going up the a19 so the cost road looked a little out of my way. Somehow it didn't take me through the tunnel and I ended up driving through the city centre which was somewhat nightmareish. However I got where I was going with only slightly white knuckles, no dents on the car, and came home via the tunnel so I'm happy with that!
Comments
http://www.tt2.co.uk/tolls.php
Yup ... that's what http://www.tt2.co.uk/tolls.php says.
No problem ... it wasn't intended as a dig at you ... just confirming that you were correct.
Thanks for the info.
And you're right to avoid Newcastle city centre - I learned to drive here and I still won't go in if I can avoid it! The one way systems, bus only lanes etc are a nightmare.
Yep!
The A167 does feel like a town road at some parts between the A1 and the A1058, but it's always duel carriageway and if you keep a close eye on signage you shouldn't go wrong. The first mile or so of the A1058 is also a town road, but again 2 lanes all the way. Chillingham road is the first major junction, so if you find yourself on the actual duel carriageway you've gone too far!
If you take a look at this google map you can see that the A167 links the A1 and the A1058 nicely
PS I live in Heaton, think I could probably drive those roads in my sleep