[Rolebama]

Bit of nonsense, really, but what is the longest you have been stuck?
I was half-way between J16 and J17 on the M25 when we all came to a standstill. This was late 80s early 90s, can't remember exactly. I radioed HQ to ask if they were aware as to why. I could see stationary traffic as far as I could see. Turned out an HGV had fallen off the overhead roundabout at J21A blocking all lanes, and was laying on it's side. Specialist equipment was needed to move it. As it was obvious noone was going anywhere for a while, people were getting out of their cars and congregating in groups. I think a lot of friendships were struck up that day. Around 4.5hrs later, we saw the vehicles in the distance begin to move. I was parked up for around 5hrs. No idea how long those at the front were stuck for.

[Drivingforfun]

Probably about 3 hours, M25 here as well, but probably shuffled forward about 300 yards so not standstill

It was a bit of a pain with every half hour people being able to creep forward, as we didn't feel like we could get out of our cars

I was turning right on the A1 Biggleswade south roundabout yesterday, coming from Biggleswade i.e. just going up the bypass to the other end of town... about 300 yards up the A1 going south was a police barricade... I felt sorry for the traffic going straight toward London (including those already on the A1) as I imagine if they were a bit quicker in deciding, they could've gone round and gone a different way, I imagine lots were tempted to reverse 100yds back up the dual carriageway

[Lily]

There's a joke in "Good Omens" (a Prime series, check it out if you like the fantasy genre), where a demon claims he sabotaged the construction of the M25 to cause humans infinite misery.

"What you did to the M25 was a stroke of demonic genius, darling""-- direct quote from the show. 🤣 As someone who used to live in London, I think it might be true. 😆

My story is very similar to yours, I was once on my way to Germany to visit my sister over Christmas and my flight departed from Stansted. We left our home with plenty of time and at a roundabout right before the Dartford Crossing there was some sort of accident (no fatalities, just a lorry that took a wrong turn or something).

We were there for nearly 3 hours. We couldn't even leave the car because it was freezing. We made it our flight because we ran accross the car park and the airport, but I remember I felt my lungs where about to explode thanks to the cold air.

It was a lovely holiday though, but I will forever fear that bit of the M25.

[Drivingforfun]

@Lily It's quite funny really how we so often connect to one method of transport which is known for its strictness and uncompromisingness ... from another which is basically just pot luck as to when you arrive... yet if it wasn't for the former half the traffic on the latter wouldn't even be there 🤔

[Lily]

@Drivingforfun funny indeed. And this discrepancy gets worse during the summer months, when airline employees would tend to be less lenient thanks to the high volumes of people, but the traffic is simply hellish.

That's why you leave for the aiport with plenty of time. I tried to make it there 4 hours before my flight and if I am too early it's great because I love an aiport lounge.