A127 in Essex

[Bruce]

Hi
Been cycling for some time now, mainly sportives and training rides etc. I bought another bike as a winter training machine and it dawned on me that this would also make an ideal commuter, it isnt an onerous journey in terms of distance, Leigh on Sea to Warley (Brentwood) 18 miles each way, but I would like some info on the condition of the cycle track along the A127, and the cross overs at the junctions if there are any users in here?
Thanks in advance for any potential information

Regards

Bruce

 

[normgow]

It might be best to make a "recce" perhaps on the weekend to check it out yourself.
I used to use the cycle paths whilst riding from Hainault to Dunton and later to Laindon and the condition of the path wasn't too bad . The junctions were always best taken very carefully and being prepared to wait for a clear run across. Unfortunately my last experiences of the A127 were back in the 1970s so I doubt if conditions have improved much but it would be nice if you were to prove me wrong.

 

[ChrisKH]

Very poor condition and I wouldn't want to use the A127 on any day, even on the track.

Thought about a cross country route? A13 to Benfleet then back road (the old London Road) to Burnt Mills Industrial estate? You then have the option of turning right to Wickford, then left cross country to Billericay and Brentwood. Or you can take the road parallel to the A127 through Burnt Mills, which has a good cycle path and then turn right at the end to get to Billericay/ Brentwood. There is also a track road on the north of the A127 from Wickford to Billericay, but I have only used it in summer.

PS It is a long hill going into Billericay but there is a way round it. Big on a Bianchi used to live in that neck of the woods and could no doubt give you a better route into Brentwood by bike once on the north side of the A127.

 

[Bruce]

These are the sort of responses I feared I would get, I have been looking at the track as best I can the past few weeks whilst I have been in the car rather than on my motorbike, and I didnt think it looked the best, thanks for the replies guys, guess I may consider a different route in as suggested by ChrisKH

Regards

 

[heliphil]

Its certainly usable as I do more or less the opposite journey twice a week. A good set of tyres is advisable but apart from that its OK ( just not great)

 

[thegrumpybiker]

I used to commute from Rayleigh to Basildon regularly on the A127. Bear in mind that my last commute on it was 10 years ago (Christ I'm starting to feel really old now, it only seems like yest... sorry, I'll get back on track) It was always rough and bumpy and I used to take the road to avoid the underpass roundabouts, quite risky really I suppose. My main advice is to get a police issue stab-proof vest, cut it into strips and line it between your tubes and tyres, God knows how many punctures I got from the broken glass on that track over the years. It used to be all fields round here...

 

[mr_cellophane]

I have been on it between Dunton B148 and M25 and the north side is better than the south. I would now rather risk my life and cross at the top of Front Lane than stay on the south side.
Both sides are covered in glass and bits of metal so you can't get a good speed up as you will be too busy watching the ground.
Where you have to come up to the roundabouts, I do most of the crossovers "on road" as that feels safer even though it means going 360 round. The path by the Halfway House does not have a drop kerb on the pub side.

 

[leosayer]

Hi Bruce as above,

I have taken the path way on both sides between Basildon and Gidea Park on a fairly regular basis last year. I have started using the back roads as I was getting fed up with the constant punctures. A good set of tyres are a must if you do proceed.

Glass/nails/various metal objects on some areas.

The extra gusts/spray due to the lorries can be a killer too on windy days

I found the crossings not to bad if you are careful.

As ChrisKH says, get a few back routes or practice switching tubes alot.

Post back, how you do get on.

 

[thegrumpybiker]

The extra gusts/spray due to the lorries can be a killer too on windy days

Ah yes I'd forgotten about the wind.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Big on a Bianchi used to live in that neck of the woods and could no doubt give you a better route into Brentwood by bike once on the north side of the A127.

Indeed.

Once on the north side of the 127 heading up towards Billericay turn into the Dunton road at the White house that is(used to be?) the alloy wheel garage place...go past the little blacksmiths and right down to the end of Dunton road. Turn right at the T junction and follow the road straight on up into Brentwood. its a good safe ride.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

 

[BentMikey]

I seem to remember riding this back to London from Southend with a De Vere rider after the London to Southend. It wasn't particularly nice, but it was fast and direct. The slipways gave me the heebies.

 

[normgow]

Perhaps it's a naiive idea but don't the local authorities who are responsible for the upkeep of the roads also have an obligation for the cycle paths as well?

 

[thegrumpybiker]

Perhaps it's a naiive idea but don't the local authorities who are responsible for the upkeep of the roads also have an obligation for the cycle paths as well?

Call me cynical (and all that know me do. And worse) but I think most of them think that keeping the roads clear means sweeping the debris to one side (ie on the cycle track)

 

[Bruce]

Call me cynical (and all that know me do. And worse) but I think most of them think that keeping the roads clear means sweeping the debris to one side (ie on the cycle track)

Yes isnt that the truth, thanks for all your feedback guys, I plotted an alternative route it puts 4 miles on the journey each way but I guess thats better than endless problems on the cycle path