The Department for Transport has issued guidance for travelling to and from London on the day of Her Majesty the Queen’s State Funeral on Monday 19 September:
Transport Update
Over the coming days, many hundreds of thousands of people will travel to London to pay their final respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The public response to Her Majesty’s passing has been overwhelming. As such, we expect the pressure on the transport network to be considerable, particularly in the run up to the State Funeral on Monday 19 September.
We are therefore writing to tell you about the plans we have made for transport, conversations we have had with transport bodies, and to provide advice to anyone who intends to visit London during this period of National Mourning. We hope that this will help you to advise constituents and respond to queries.
We have been in regular contact with major transport operators, and they have well developed plans in place. It is vital that visitors plan ahead, expect crowding and delays, and allow ample time for each stage of their journey. The situation will be subject to change and visitors should check for updated information before travel. If it is possible for constituents to avoid transport by walking to their final destination in London, this may be the sensible option. Please also note that some transport disruption will continue into Tuesday 20 September, the day after the State Funeral.
RAIL AND LONDON UNDERGROUND
There will be significant pressure on the rail network, particularly on Monday 19 September. Passengers may encounter long queues at stations and delays to journeys. They should plan ahead, check live information and allow extra time for their journey.
Once in London, both National Rail and London Underground stations around Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St James’s Park and Green Park will be extremely crowded.
If crowding threatens public safety on the Tube, it may be necessary for short-term measures to be introduced such as queuing, changes to the way customers enter or exit a station, or even station closures. Trains may also pass through stations without stopping if platforms are too busy.
Transport providers have extra staff and services ready to help people get to where they need to be. Every station will have stewards in high-vis jackets to give passengers assistance, particularly the elderly or vulnerable. Travellers should also stay aware of people in need around them and offer help or alert station staff if required.
For those who require it, extra help can be organised through the railway’s Passenger Assist service, and this can be booked via Network Rail or local train operators.
We urge all rail users to check National Rail Enquiries for rail journey information, or Transport for London’s website for tube information and planning your journey:
• National Rail Enquiries – Travel advice for the mourning period: www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/305614.aspx.
• Transport for London – Travel advice for the mourning period: https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/travel-advice-….
• Transport for London – planning your journey: https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/.
RAIL TICKET REFUNDS
The funeral date of Monday 19 September has been confirmed as an official bank holiday and therefore peak ticket restrictions will not apply. However, on all other weekdays during the mourning period, normal restrictions will apply. This will allow workers, including key workers, to get to their place of work.
Customers will not lose out if they change their plans or can’t travel. Those who have bought Anytime, Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak tickets can get full refunds during the National Mourning Period if they were bought before the death of Her Majesty on 8 September.
Passengers who have bought an Anytime ticket in advance for the day of the funeral can get a refund if they choose not to travel or rebook a cheaper ticket for the Monday, when peak fares will no longer apply. In these cases, the administration fee will be waived. Passengers with Advance tickets can use the Book with Confidence system to amend their journey fee without charge until 6pm the day before travel.
ROADS AND BUSES
Roads around central London will be very congested, so people should avoid driving. Some road closures will be necessary, particularly on the day of the State Funeral.
Buses will be operating, but in central London many routes will be diverted or stop short of their destination. The following bus routes around Victoria and Westminster will be on diversion at various times: 3, 11, 12, 24, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211, 453, 507, C10, N3, N11, N44, N87, N109, N136 and N155.
There will be no full closures of the Strategic Road Network on any sections near London. Those travelling by road should expect road closures around Windsor, the route of the funeral procession and movements of The Queen's Coffin on the day of the State Funeral. These roads will reopen once the funeral procession has passed, the local authority has cleared the road and the police determine it is safe to do so. Please check Transport for London’s website for bus information, or National Highways for roads information here:
• Transport for London – bus information: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/.
• National Highways – Travel advice for the mourning period: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/about-us/travel-advice-during-the-period….
CYCLING
Cyclists should be aware that the main areas for ceremonial events may be very crowded and some roads will be closed. Those cycling should follow the instructions of stewards and police who may ask you to dismount and walk. Sections of Cycleway 3 and 8 are closed but signed diversions are in place or you can plan your journey using Transport for London’s cycle map, available here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/cycle-diversions-c3-and-c8.pdf.
There will be six cycle hire hubs where plenty of bikes will be available to help get you around. In addition to this there are plenty of smaller docking stations, although those within the event areas will be closed. For details on those closest to you, please check Transport for London’s interactive map: https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/cycle?intcmp=40402&intcmp=58492&intcmp=60683.
The locations of cycle hubs are:
• Queen Street, City of London
• Holborn Circus
• Grosvenor Square
• St. James Square
• King’s Cross, Belgrove
• Waterloo Station, Cab Road
If you are using your own bike and want somewhere safe to leave it, then cycle parking can be found at most Network Rail stations.
It is unlikely that bikes will be able to be taken on most trains in and out of London, so this should be factored into journeys.
WALKING AROUND LONDON
Transport for London has produced information for visitors walking around the capital over the Mourning Period. Walking times given are approximate and will take longer due to crowds, queuing, and road closures. This is available here: https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/travel-advice-….
Further information for those visiting Her Majesty Lying in State can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/attending-ceremonial-events-for-the-….
RIVER BUSES
London River buses are operating as normal. Further information can be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/river-bus/stop/930GWMR/westminster-pier/.
AVIATION
Heathrow, NATS and airlines are supporting the ceremonial aspects for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral at Westminster Abbey and the Committal Service at Windsor Castle on Monday 19 September.
As a mark of respect, operations to and from the airport will be subject to appropriate changes to avoid noise disruption at certain locations at specific times on Monday. Heathrow and airlines are working closely with NATS to minimise the impact of these restrictions on passengers. In order to observe these moments on Monday, airlines will need to adjust their schedules accordingly, which will mean some changes to flights.
Passengers affected by these changes will be contacted directly by their airlines about their travel plans and the options available to them. Passengers who have been notified that their flight has been cancelled, and/or do not have a confirmed seat on a flight, should not turn up to the airport.
Further information from Heathrow is available here: www.heathrow.com/passenger-updates.
There may also be changes to operations at London City Airport on the day of the State Funeral. Travellers should check their website here for further information: www.londoncityairport.com.
GETTING HOME
People attending events in London on Monday 19 September are encouraged not to rush home immediately after the State Funeral and final procession to help ease pressure on the rail network.
Please be aware that streets will be very crowded. If you are walking back to your nearest mainline station from any of the main viewing areas, you should build in significant extra time.
Train operating companies are increasing resilience in services and putting on extra trains to increase capacity. The rail industry is planning as many late-night services as possible. All Network Rail-managed stations in London - including King’s Cross, London Victoria, London Waterloo, London Liverpool Street, Charing Cross and Euston - are open 24 hours a day as of Wednesday 14 September to provide shelter if anyone is unable to get home at night and provide welfare services to those in need.
