I've driven a Mini without brakes from the centre of Cork city to Inniscarra, a VW Beetle (original one) without a clutch cable numerous times, I also drove that Beetle with a snapped accelerator cable. I've also driven an A3 with no 2nd. 3rd & 4th gear.
It can be done, the easiest is no clutch cable (same dilemma as a failed salve cylinder).

As the lads say just start it in gear & once other going just adjust the revs to slide the gear in when the revs are on the way back down. Once you're on the motorway you're good to go from there.