OT - Directions to Central London

[Seagull Stew]

Was just wondering if anyone can suggest a better way of getting into London (Heading towards Elephant & Castle) from Hastings A21 direction.
I've only just started really needing to drive into London and have been using the A20 but have always met huge amounts of traffic coming into Sidcup. Would it be worthwhile staying on the M25 (When that's not blocked of course) until the A2 or get off straight onto the A21 and head onto the A224 through Orpington?

 

[m20gull]

poor you! None of the solutions are really any good. I live in Swanley and can vouch that the A20 in to London is a nightmare after Sidcup. Going through Orpington won't really get you much further past the problems though and the A224 is very slow indeed noce past Orpington.

I would suggest the A2, but as I'm sure you have found out Junction 2 of the M25 can be a nightmare. Other than on a Wednesday (which is Swanley market day - high Pikey and Chav density) I would recommend leaving M25 at Junction 3, go in to Swanley and head through and out the other side as if going to London. At the last set of traffic lights (next to a Texaco service station) turn right.

At a series of roundabouts go right, left, right, left. That drops you on to the A2. Then I would recommend dropping on to the South Circular to go through Lewisham to New Cross. Otherwise you get stuck when the Blackwall tunnel is bad.

On Wednesday, you need to leave 5 minutes earlier to get through Swanley.

 

[Albion Dan]

I always go the A2 route take exit for New Cross and Peckham then get on the Old Kent Road to Elephant.