Diversions 2023

[SteveA30]

Yes, I had noticed unusual activity above Almondsbury and after your nice recce, I found on NH that there is indeed a contraflow in October for bridge work at Patchway and Almondsbury. Could be worth keeping an eye on. Although today was a damp squib, yesterday was better, with overspills on M5 and A30. So, in perhaps the last mission of summer 2023, here they are....
After about an hour around Wellington, DTC* called in to report A30 action in Devon. The M5 was clear s/bnd, as this was going home day, so a clear run through to Whiddon Down.

DTC - Diversion Traffic Control

[SteveA30]

Now and then, some now and then pics....

Garage gone, now houses

[SteveA30]

Down into Okehampton. As the traffic started to move after the clearing up of a 7 car collision, I figured Oke would also have overspill from the Sourton junction. So it proved....

The best change here is that the railway line has reopened to passenger trains since 1988. Except today due to a strike......

[SteveA30]

Okehampton, free of heavy traffic, in theory

[SteveA30]

The old A361 to round off the 2023 season, west of South Molton to west of Landkey. Daily performance - Oct 11 to Nov 11 2023.

There is a long history of diversioneering in our family. 3 of my ancestors keep watch across the road.

[SteveA30]

Might go back before Nov 11.......

[Truvelo]

Is there a TRO enforcing the temporary stopping restriction?

[SteveA30]

Don't know about any TRO......
Couldn't resist a second look at the A361 div......

[SteveA30]

Ilminster part....10 probably.
2am to 1pm, both ways

[SteveA30]

Narrow passing places

If not a Monty Python fan, the staff must be bemused by some guests saying, in a silly voice 'I would like...a shrubbery!'

No yellow lines in 1975, a nice clear road. Photo in the chippy, photographed with permission.

[SteveA30]

M3 weekend closure now in its final hours, J3-4, 4a eastbound. Solid queues most of the time, even now (20.38) at the Bagshot end. This is thanks to the impressive 16 sets of lights along the route, not counting J3. Just shows what a council can do if they really put their mind to it. The Waitrose ones are causing the queue now.

Only 2 sets of lights in (T) days.

[SteveA30]

Many were caught out by 2 lane approaches to junction lights, only to find one was for right turns, resulting in much argy bargy. Overtaking over hatching as well. I just sat it out in lane 1, Blackwater to Bagshot in 45 mins. Ready for a coffee at the BP Wild Bean by that time....

[SteveA30]

Wed Dec 20. Was going to do A4 Newbury to Hungerford, an all dayer that lasted until early Thursday morning due to fuel spill. Then a red line appeared on the M5 Cullompton bypass. Soon revealed as an overturned lorry load of potatoes blocking all 3 lanes and HS. So, a change of plan and I spud, I mean sped to Devon. Peeling off the extra busy A30 to head up to Broad Clyst avoiding Exeter, I arrived on the A38 or B something or other. Traffic wasn't mashed but steady.

Closed at J28, then later from J27 Tiverton. Radio revealed heavy traffic on A303 from Ilminster so, the VMS must have been sending some off via A358. Queues into Cullompton were therefore shorter but still slow. Heading home, the A30 west was heaving on the D2 and queuing on the S2 from Honiton to Marsh A303. M5 reopened at 20.30
A broken down lorry at the Brightside Diner A303 Newcott, had been there for 3 hours before the tow truck arrived.