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City Guide - London - Road | ||
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Road Main roads are designated by a letter, followed by up to four numbers: 'M' - motorway; 'A' - major trunk road; and 'B' - minor trunk road. Traffic drives on the left. The speed limits are 113kph (70mph) on motorways, 97kph (60mph) on single-lane main roads and 48kph (30mph) in built-up areas. Seat belts are compulsory for drivers and front-seat passengers, and for rear-seat passengers if fitted. Motorcyclists must wear helmets. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08%. Overseas driving licences and International Driving Permits are valid for driving in Britain for up to one year. Insurance is mandatory. Overseas visitors bringing their own cars should bring registration documents and check with their insurance company as to whether a Green Card is needed. Breakdown service and general motoring information is available from the Automobile Association (tel: (0870) 550 0600; web site: www.theaa.co.uk); the Royal Automobile Club (tel: (0870) 572 2722; web site: www.rac.co.uk) and Green Flag (tel: (0800) 001 371; web site: www.greenflag.co.uk). Emergency breakdown services (toll free): AA (0800) 887 766 Green Flag (0800) 400 600 RAC (0800) 828 282 Routes to the city: The M25 encircles London. The M1, M11, M20, M26, M3, M4 and M40 radiate from the capital to the rest of Britain. Motorists and their cars can travel by train (Eurotunnel) through the Channel Tunnel from Nord Pas-de-Calais, France to southern England (tel: (0870) 535 3535). Driving times to London: from Dover - 1 hour 45 minutes; Birmingham - 2 hours 15 minutes; and Manchester - 3 hours 45 minutes. Coach services: National and international services use Victoria Coach Station (five minutes' walk from Victoria train station) at 164 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1 (tel: (020) 7730 3466). Facilities include bureaux de change, ATMs, information desks, travel and hotel agencies and left-luggage office. National Express (tel: (0870) 580 8080; web site: www.gobycoach.com) runs services throughout the UK. Eurolines (tel: (020) 7730 8235) has departures to over 300 continental destinations. |