southend to colchester

[serendipity2]

Hi there
My daughter just moved to Colchester, Essex. I live in Southend, Essex and have a phobia about using slip roads so I am really needing to find out an alternative way of getting to Colchester without using the A12! I tried the A12 today but I was an absolute nervous wreck and consider myself to be a danger to myself and oyther road users....so please could somebody help me?
Angie

[boxtops]

Do you have to drive, serendipity? Why don't you use the train instead? - I don't like driving on big roads either, I use the train all the time.

[Jemisa]

Go to Google Maps type yours and your daughters post code in and see what comes up.

[jubieanna]

are you on commission for google maps tonight jem :-))))

[Jemisa]

Oh, so you noticed jubie, wish I was. Its an excellent service.

[NazNomad]

There are routes you could use with mostly B-Roads, but omg, what a nightmare journey, seriously.

You'd be better off investing in a GPS and electing NOT to use the A12, ... you'd see some nice countryside too. :-)

[starone]

I read once, somewhere that the AA would plan a route for you using only left turns (for nervous drivers I suppose) but I don't know if this was true. I reckon if you kept turning left you would end up where you started.

[jubieanna]

it is an excellent service I've used it many times Jem.

it would definitely give you options to get to your daughters via B-roads although it would take a lot longer Serendipity

[Buenchico]

Easy peasy. Simply go via Maldon:

A127 to A130, as usual.

At Rettendon Turnpike, take the A132 towards South Woodham Ferrars.
(If you don't like the A127 and A130 you can also go through Rayleigh and Rawreth to get to Rettendon Turnpike. I've driven that route several times but it's a bit tricky to describe! Look at a map if you're interested in it).

At South Woodham Ferrars keep straight on (B1012) towards Burnham on Crouch.

After about 4 miles, go left onto the B1018, towards Maldon.

Keep following the B1018 until reaching the A414, which is the Maldon bypass. Turn right onto the bypass. Follow the signs towards Heybridge and the B1022.

Follow the B1022, through Tiptree, into Colchester.

Chris

[NazNomad]

I am struggling to see how the A12, A130 and A127 are vastly different. I've used them all equally... an A-road is an A-road, right?

[serendipity2]

Thanks everyone!
Thank you lots Chris for the directions...I'm so thankful!
It's joining on to an A road using a slip road that terrifies me Naz...so coming back to Southend today, once I'd done the A130, I had to do a right to Saddlers Farm then go to Bread and Chesse Hill way...a lot longer but cannot do the A127 as I especially can't use that slip road. It seems so short and I panic that I will crash into someone.
So Chris, thank you again for your directions...I don't know how long it would take but I really do not care as long as I can see my daughter.
Angie

[boxtops]

I'd still take the train!