Gosport question...

[AdeOlly]

We're very likely to move a little west from our current location in Chichester Harbour and are busy narrowing down options, and one of those is Gosport (Premier or Royal Clarence)

Question to those who berth in Gosport - what is traffic like down from the M27, esp on Friday evenings and also back up to the M27 on Sunday afternoons?

Cheers

 

[stuartwineberg]

We're very likely to move a little west from our current location in Chichester Harbour and are busy narrowing down options, and one of those is Gosport (Premier or Royal Clarence)

Question to those who berth in Gosport - what is traffic like down from the M27, esp on Friday evenings and also back up to the M27 on Sunday afternoons?

Cheers

Don't forget Haslar marina as an option - better shelter than the other two and about the same price. Traffic is pretty heavy up and down the A32 but a light transport system is in late stage build and that should improve the traffic flow a lot - who knows how much!

 

[boatmike]

M27 OK but off the motorway into Gosport Friday afternoons murder! Sunday return trip no problem.

 

[Poignard]

I have never been held up at those times on the M27. It's on the Gosport peninsular where you get delays due to the number of traffic lights and roundabouts especially on Friday evenings as Boatmike says

 

[Bav34]

We have friends who did exactly what you are thinking and have never regretted it.

Although they loved the ambience of their marina in Chi. they just couldn't put up with the extra mileage involved in travelling from say The Forts to the marina and vice-versa, especially if they were against the tide, plus the issues of having to often wait for the lock.

Yes, the traffic can be bad but at least once you're here you can be in The Solent or on the way to France literally within minutes of casting off.

Ooops ... just noticed that you a moboer (I forgive you ) so that the distance/time from the forts isn't such an issue.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

We tried a summer in Gosport, and in the end we bailed out early. The traffic down the A32 from the M27 was always bad at peak times - ok if you are on a motorbike (I was) but nfg in a car. We found Gosport itself very lumpy - there's no protection from traffic in the harbour - so you need lots more lines and snubbers than other marinas; and finally, I found the boaty congestion in Portsmouth harbour entrance fairly unpleasant at times.

Having said all that, the views across Portsmouth harbour from Gosport are great, there's always something interesting to look at, and the proximity to other destinations is obviously excellent.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[AdeOlly]

We have friends who did exactly what you are thinking and have never regretted it.

Although they loved the ambience of their marina in Chi. they just couldn't put up with the extra mileage involved in travelling from say The Forts to the marina and vice-versa, especially if they were against the tide, plus the issues of having to often wait for the lock.

Yes, the traffic can be bad but at least once you're here you can be in The Solent or on the way to France literally within minutes of casting off.

Ooops ... just noticed that you a moboer (I forgive you ) so that the distance/time from the forts isn't such an issue.

Thank you for forgiving me for being a moboer We are thinking of moving because with our new boat being over 10m, Northney is now really pricey (more than Haslar, Premier or Royal Clarence) and in any case 9 times out of 10 we turn west out of Chi for the Solent. However, we live to the east. The Hayling Island slip road is more or less exactly one hour from home, and I really don't want to go much beyond about 1hr 20. (kids moan about the journey as it is). The Gosport exit from the M27 is only another 5 minutes; 15 minutes to the marinas?

 

[rotrax]

We're very likely to move a little west from our current location in Chichester Harbour and are busy narrowing down options, and one of those is Gosport (Premier or Royal Clarence)

Question to those who berth in Gosport - what is traffic like down from the M27, esp on Friday evenings and also back up to the M27 on Sunday afternoons?

Cheers

Hi, We travel A34/M3/M27/A32 and back most weekends.Friday after 4.30 pm it gets busy and the slog into Gosport can be very stop-start. Returning we have our evening meal on the boat before leaving. This seems to let us miss most holdups. Bank holidays with good weather are always heavy traffic,but that is the case almost anywhere. Bonus for us is that we pass Lidl's on the way in for a bit of shopping and booze top up. Huge new Tesco at Farham is open now, the junction there is improved also. Very good Curry take away from Little India too.

 

[Bav34]

15 minutes to the marinas?

Not in the rush hour. The traffic can build up pretty much half way down the road that links the M27 to the A32 and then it's just a crawl with numerous traffic lights.

I'd guess at more like 45 minutes of boredom.

Our norm from the marinas to the motorway is about 12 mins but we can choose when we go (midnight 'til 2 is good )

 

[AdeOlly]

Not in the rush hour. The traffic can build up pretty much half way down the road that links the M27 to the A32 and then it's just a crawl with numerous traffic lights.

I'd guess at more like 45 minutes of boredom.

Hmmm, doesn't sound good. We'd not arrive until at J11 until about 1930, is traffic be easing off by then?

Cheers

 

[Bav34]

Yes, the main delays seem to be from about 4pm to say 6pm.

Of course, if you were a raggy I'd tell you about my short cut

 

[Poignard]

Hmmm, doesn't sound good. We'd not arrive until at J11 until about 1930, is traffic be easing off by then?

Cheers

Oh yes.

Why don't you have a dummy run after the Christmas holiday is over?

Very noticeable, to someone used to driving in London, is the leisurely way people drive around Gosport. I swear that at traffic lights they don't engage first gear until the green light appears.

 

[Bav34]

I swear that at traffic lights they don't engage first gear until the green light appears.

Ah, well, seeze. Acordin to a poster caled Aidy weeze all scum in Gosport and heeze rite.

Most of the motors yu seez are nicked and so we dont drive to fast coz the rozers wil ave uz!

Gottit ???

 

[stuartwineberg]

Peak hour passed

Hmmm, doesn't sound good. We'd not arrive until at J11 until about 1930, is traffic be easing off by then?

Cheers

Yes - definitely - the rush is the early Friday get away - much less busy by 1930

 

[boatmike]

Yes - definitely - the rush is the early Friday get away - much less busy by 1930

Confirm that. I live at Lee-on-Solent (same problem) and if you leave it until after 1800 it eases off to a tolerable level and your 15 mins is reasonable. Most peeps around here seem to finish early on a Friday and are home by then!

 

[Red]

The route into Gosport is one of the worst, you may have to consider investing in a motorbike....

 

[henryf]

We've been at Haslar for around 10 years now and I could count the number of times we've been caught in bad traffic from the M27 to the marina on one hand. To be fair I never usually arrive at 5.30pm so that's the answer and by the sound of things your arrival times are going to be fine.

There are also a couple of options which get you from Fareham to Gosport.

The references to a choppy marina are, I presume, referring to Gosport marina rather than Haslar. Some have said the visitors pontoon can be choppy by the light ship but on E pontoon all is well and calm save the very occasional small boat speeding in Haslar Creek.

Access to the Solent would have to be the best on the Solent, the town it's self whilst never running the risk of being described as picturesque or full of charm does have all the facilities and shops you're ever likely to need. The staff at Haslar are also friendly and helpful on the odd occasion you need their assistance.

Hope that helps.

Henry

 

[PRH]

The traffic is hell but if you are thinking after 19:30 then it is better by then. As others have said, getting out can also be a problem. There are some alternative routes/rat runs but they make little difference.

However, once you are there there is great access to the Solent (it may be busy some times but relax and take your time and it is fine) and also access to the ferry which will take you to the Portsmouth side for shoping/cinema/resturants etc.

As others have said, it won't be as flat as Chichester but then you won't have the problem with the lock.

Royal Clarence is more sheltered, further from the ferry/High St but quieter and more friendly. It is a fair walk from the car park to your boat.
Premier is right by the ferry and High St plus you will get all of the addons you are used to. Parking on site.
Haslar is a little way from the ferry/High St but has quite a walk from the car park to your boat.

As others have said there is a Lidl and Tesc (Fareham) on the way in, there is also Asda and Morrisons close by. There is also a market in Gosport on Saturdays.....

 

[AdeOlly]

Thanks to everybody for your responses - very helpful to have local input.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

TThere is also a market in Gosport on Saturdays.....

When we were there (2008) there used to be a fast-food van half way up the high street on market days ... he did the best egg and bacon rolls in the world, ever.

Cheers
Jimmy