Just wondering if anyone else has ever, or felt inclined to, use the hidden back roads and 'works access' roads that frequently lead off from motorways / services.
Can be quite useful. Was stuck in that huge pile up along the M6 at Lancaster a few weeks ago. Checked the satnav, spotted a little road leading off from Forton services so made it my mission to get there. About 1 mile (and 2 hours later) finally made it to the services, grabbed some food and searched for the 'hidden' exit. Sure enough, surrounded by bushes and trees was a small opening that lead into the blackness (it was night time by then), and a single solitary 'No Entry' sign guarding it. Through I went (bet that looked odd to the other people queuing to get back on the M6) and onto some tiny, bumpy backroad, a few minutes later I was out onto the main road and home free.
Same again today, on the M6, needed to exit the motorway quickly, checked the satnav, saw a road leading off and a few minutes later the 'Works Access' exit appeared, turned into it (a little fast tbh, gravel road, some sideways action) and a few minute later I was on the A6
Anyone else have any tales of their motorway escapes? They're quite useful, especially when there's huge tailbacks, they just look intimidating with their "NO ENTRY" signs and threats of prosecution even though beyond the signs you're straight out onto normal roads.