A1 - M25 - A1081 Comments

I use this a lot, the only issue I have is the A1(M) southbound to M25 clockwise movement (one I do a couple of times a week) really needs more capacity as it often queues back to the A1(M) mainline, and results in people using the inside lane on the slip (signed for the Services) to cut in across the lane markings to jump the queue. However, the junction works pretty well- and the traffic volumes on the M25 often mean you are joining queuing traffic, so free-flow interchange from the A1(M) wouldn't really speed things up.

Where there is a problem then it is often down to satnav users. The cars that weave from lane to lane usually have that telltale glowing screen above the dash. If you just look out of the window and follow the signs then there is no problem.

Th A1081 has never been a cause of problems on this junction so shutting it off is a pointless suggestion! Also making the A1 south of here motorway would solve nothing. I use this daily and have done so for 10 years now. This junction regularly got grid-locked as selfish idiots ignored the lights and joined the back of queues, blocking entries and exits. Since the widening and remarking of lanes a couple of years though, this has problem has all but disappeared. Camera's to stop people jumping the lights would be good, especially on the set prior to joining the A1 northbound as many twats regularly have a long run up to them and jump them at red, endangering traffic exiting the M25 clockwise.

I use this junction a lot, since I live in Barnet just to the south. This means I usually come to the junction by way of the A1081, of which you complain; it leads into High Barnet town centre.

I think you're being harsh, here. This junction is my main gateway out of London to the country beyond, as it allows me fast access to the A1 and, via the M25, the rest of the motorway network. Without the A1081 link, a large chunk of north London suburbia would be denied easy access to the motorway system. I, and thousands of others, would have to drive through Totteridge or Arkley, on local roads, to reach the A1 at Edgware. There is no need for the A1(M) to continue beyond the M25; south of this point the A1 is a normal, if very busy, urban arterial road, with many access points and roundabouts. And so it should be.

This roundabout (junction 23, as I know it) may be large and busy and have more traffic lights than is ideal, but it is hardly a nightmare.

I hate the South Mimms roundabout! As a newish driver I use a satnav and I keep finding myself in the wrong lane, nearly going through red lights, feeling very confused. I would like to avoid it altogether but that seems more or less impossible for many journeys.

I am with Brian on this. I use this junction regularly and all you have to do is follow the signs. I can think of many other junctions where the signs put you into the wrong lane but not this one.

Why all the gripes about this junction? As long as each driver reads the road properly and follows the directional arrows which are clearly marked on the road, there is no problem. The problems start when those who do NOT read the road markings are in the wrong lane and cut across other lanes to get to their required lane. Usually the culprits are boy racers in flash cars with loud rubbishy music blaring out.

Another little foible of this junction is the route you take to South Mimms or to Welham Green. This involves driving through the services to a little 'hidden' roundabout.

I love this roundabout use it every morning to go to work. They've even got the lights sorted so you can go all the way round without stopping. Only gripe is that the lanes don't match up as you go through each set of lights.

While it is true that there is quite a distance to travel round the roundabout if going from M25 eastbound to A1 southbound, the reality is that not many people would do this. Most people heading into London from that direction would have gone down the M1 or A41 and so it is only likely local traffic doing this.

Equally very little traffic will go from A1(M) southbound to M25 westbound as traffic leaves the A1(M) at J3 and takes the A414/A405 North Orbital to get back to the M25.

There is no defense for traffic going from A1 both ways to M25 eastbound and M25 westbound to both directions on the A1. A left turn ramp from the A1(M) south to M25 east would certainly help a lot however someone put the services in the way. However there is no such excuse for M25 westbound to A1 southbound.