Why are the French roads so much better

[woodsieboy]

So just back from 14 days in France, Vendee, during which time we only saw 1 set of minor roadworks,controlled by parked lorry with large flashing arrow on the back.

Got off the ferry at Portsmouth this morning and oh dear, the M27 Westbound down to 2 lanes for most of the way from Portsmouth to Southampton, ambuances struggling to get through the traffic,not caused by any evidence of accidents

Long lengths of coned off road with no evidence of any work being done, some work being done in places, but it feels like that motorway has been like it for over a year.

Also seem to be proportionately more HGV s in UK than France

Prices on a par in Euros to pounds on most things and as always the shops are full of lots of French produce, as well as goods from all around the world

Also felt like French drivers have become more considerate, or maybe I just went native for 2 weeks.

 

[Buckman]

What do you expect when they start work at about 9.30am after tea and then break for tea break at 10am until 11am and at 12pm stop for lunch until 2pm and at that point go home. Before anyone says anything, we watched them about 3 weeks ago working in our village. They ha d"road Closed" signs causing people to take huge deviations when the road was not closed and a bus could easily have pass the roadworks!

 

[woodsieboy]

Indeed, we passed some signs saying ''lane closed to protect our workforce''this morning

 

[Buckman]

Indeed, we passed some signs saying ''lane closed to protect our workforce''this morning

More than likely there was no workforce for them to protect?

 

[otherclive]

A lot of goods go by train, but given the size of France and the dispersion of its cities overall traffic density is less than UK. I noticed on my last trip that their driver behaviour was probably better than here.

 

[otherclive]

One reason French supermarkets have more good quantities of French food is that for a similar population size France is 129% self sufficient in food whereas UK is 60%. With farming taking place from the north to the south the temperature and weather allows a wider range of produce than in UK. Above a certain latitude this country has lots of land, inclement weather and poor soils. So it makes the comparitive area favourable to productive agriculture even more in France’s favour.

 

[Woodentop]

As an aside, did anyone see about the road closure inn the Highlands this morning? The detour was 60 - yes SIXTY - miles

 

[otherclive]

As an aside, did anyone see about the road closure inn the Highlands this morning? The detour was 60 - yes SIXTY - miles

Didn’t see that one but we got rerouted near to Kingussie/Newtonmore. Unavoidable with such large areas with no roads for access.

 

[Sam Vimes]

As an aside, did anyone see about the road closure inn the Highlands this morning? The detour was 60 - yes SIXTY - miles

That's not really very much. A couple of times the road through Glen Coe has been closed due to a fatal accident and I've faced an 150 mile detour and got home in the early hours of the morning.

Rock falls at Strathcarron caused similar detours for weeks.

 

[woodsieboy]

It feels to me that there are more occasions when roads are closed for repair/improvement than ever before, and often for several months at a time,the main road from Cheletenham to Evesham is such a case, to install a cycle lane, no idea why it needed to be closed, the main road throug Westbury in Wiltshire closed for gas main work,these are just 2 examples,
I suspect there has been a creeping increase of closures,because the motoring public have no choice, and once the road is closed where is the incentive to complete the work quickly and get the road open again.
In France they do close roads, usually so that the local market can take place,always with a local deviation.,perhaps the French roads are built to a better standard, so resist weather damage, or maybe it is the reduced traffic on them I don't know, I do know which ones I would rather drive on.

 

[Sam Vimes]

At the risk of letting the worms escape from the tin, the diversions I've had to take are one of the reasons an EV is not on my list of considerations when looking for a new car.

 

[Buckman]

At the risk of letting the worms escape from the tin, the diversions I've had to take are one of the reasons an EV is not on my list of considerations when looking for a new car.

Maybe a plug in PHEV as covers all your needs?

 

[otherclive]

It feels to me that there are more occasions when roads are closed for repair/improvement than ever before, and often for several months at a time,the main road from Cheletenham to Evesham is such a case, to install a cycle lane, no idea why it needed to be closed, the main road throug Westbury in Wiltshire closed for gas main work,these are just 2 examples,
I suspect there has been a creeping increase of closures,because the motoring public have no choice, and once the road is closed where is the incentive to complete the work quickly and get the road open again.
In France they do close roads, usually so that the local market can take place,always with a local deviation.,perhaps the French roads are built to a better standard, so resist weather damage, or maybe it is the reduced traffic on them I don't know, I do know which ones I would rather drive on.

An Australian friend came over three years ago and commented that Britain seemed to be one large yellow signed diversion. Sometimes he would find multiple diversion signs on the same stretch of road. There was even one on the A4 near to Corsham in Wiltshire that was written in Welsh. We could only assume that the contractor had run out of English ones.

 

[Sam Vimes]

Maybe a plug in PHEV as covers all your needs?

Well you've opened the lid wider😁

Personally I've never been convinced of the value of hybrids but they may suit some...not me though.

 

[Buckman]

Well you've opened the lid wider😁

Personally I've never been convinced of the value of hybrids but they may suit some...not me though.

I must admit, we felt the same, but now enjoy having our hybrids. The Yaris 1,5 will easily get 70mpg. The 2.5 Lexus only 37mpg, but it is a much heavier car.

 

[Sam Vimes]

The never ending debate....🙄

I've just returned from a trip to the south. Average mpg in my 1.5l diesel Qashqai 81.6mpg. Heavier than the Yaris I suspect.

 

[otherclive]

The never ending debate....🙄

I've just returned from a trip to the south. Average mpg in my 1.5l diesel Qashqai 81.6mpg. Heavier than the Yaris I suspect.

That’s mightily impressive mpg by any standards.

 

[Sam Vimes]

That was from Cambridge to Stirling. Average speed 56mph. A1, A66, M6, M74, M73, then the slow bits near Glasgow.

There have been times and over quite a long stretch when we've got into the 90s but on slower roads.

I'm sure it's reasonably accurate when I compare mileage with how much fuel I put in. Topped up in Stirling and computer said range 818 miles based, presumably, on previous consumption.

 

[toad a caravan]

Because the roads are in France and not over here,🙂

 

[otherclive]

Today we drove to Rhandirmwyn near LLandovery. From Raglan to Llandovery the road was absolutely ace, and it’s easy to see why A40 to Llandovery is such a popular bikers ride. Even the B road from Llandovery to Rhandirmwyn would put most English roads to shame. Roads closed tomorrow north of Llyn Brianne for major rally stage so will be doing the Black Mountain Top Gear route then back via Carreg Cennen castle. Hopefully keep well away from the rally spectators.

 

[Gagakev]

Dont bother coming to Devon then for the next TWO years and heading to Newton Abbot off the A38 at Drumbridges they are closing the A382 for that period for road improvements.
Admittedly the diversion is prob only roughly 2 miles along the A383........................nearly past my front door, going to be chaos, happy motoring folks.