WIREDGOV

Over the late May bank holiday weekend (Saturday 25, Saturday 26 and Monday 27 May) there will be some service changes and essential improvement works on some parts of London's transport network. Some journeys will be affected, including travel to or from Heathrow Airport.

The closures have been planned over the traditionally quieter bank holiday to minimise disruption to customers as much as possible.

Most TfL services will continue to run throughout the bank holiday weekend as normal. The main service changes will be closures to the Piccadilly line between Hammersmith and Heathrow/Uxbridge and on the District line between Turnham Green and Ealing Broadway all weekend (from 00:01 Saturday 25, and all day on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May).

Customers for Heathrow airport should use the non-stop coaches that will be running between Hammersmith station and Heathrow airport via the motorway every 3-8 minutes. There are porters and lifts at both Hammersmith and Heathrow, and extra space for luggage and buggies. For an wheelchair accessible route to the airport customers should use TfL Rail, which runs every 30 minutes. TfL Rail will be busier than usual and customers should use the non-stop coaches wherever possible.

Nigel Holness, TfL's Managing Director for London Underground, said: `Whether you are going away with the family or enjoying some of London's exciting attractions please check before you travel this bank holiday. Most TfL services will be operating allowing customers to make the most of what London has to offer but there are some temporary changes to be aware of.'

There is no better way to explore London than by walking, cycling and taking public transport, with off-peak fares, daily fare capping and convenient payment with Oyster or contactless. The Bus Hopper fare also provides unlimited bus and tram journeys in one hour for just £1.50. This bank holiday a Routemaster will operate during the day on the route 15 between Tower Hill and Trafalgar Square, giving customers a chance to take a ride on an iconic part of London's transport history.

Santander Cycles will be available throughout the bank holiday weekend for Londoners and visitors wishing to get around the capital on two wheels. Covering 100km of London, the Santander Cycles scheme is the largest in Europe, with almost 12,000 cycles and 770 docking stations. Bikes can be hired from as little as £2 for a 24 hour period.

London's Streets

Drivers are reminded that there will be no Congestion Charge (CC) on Saturday 25, Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May.

Since Monday 8 April 2019, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) operates in the same area as the CC and, unlike the CC, remains in operation 24/7 throughout the bank holiday weekend.

Old Street roundabout will change to two-way traffic over the bank holiday weekend. City Road (south) and Old Street (west) will be temporarily closed to prepare for the switch to two-way traffic from 21:30 on Friday 24 May to 00:01 on Monday 27 May.

Increases in journey time are expected after the switch-over and TfL is advising people to take extra care in the area as traffic gets used to the new two-way system. Buses will run on their normal line of route in the new two-way layout and TfL is encouraging drivers to consider walking or cycling for local journeys.  

People walking are advised to check both ways for traffic when crossing the road and should make use of a number of pedestrian crossings along the road.

Essential Improvement on the Tube

There will be no Piccadilly line trains between Hammersmith and Heathrow/Uxbridge from midnight on Friday night / Saturday 25 until the end of service on Monday 27 May. A reduced service will run on the rest of the line, with trains approximately every four minutes.

Those travelling to Heathrow are advised to use the non-stop coaches which will run via the motorway to all terminals every 3-8 minutes. The non-stop coaches will have extra space for luggage and buggies and will have porters available to help transport luggage. Lifts are also available at Hammersmith station and Heathrow Airport for those with buggies; however, the coaches are not wheelchair accessible.

For an accessible route to the airport, customers are advised to use the Hammersmith & City line to Paddington and TfL Rail to Terminals 2, 3 & 4. For Terminal 5, go to Terminal 2 & 3 and use the free inter-terminal transfer.

There will also be all-stations replacement buses running between Gunnersbury and Heathrow and Rayners Lane. These extend to Hammersmith and Terminal 5 during Night Tube.

There will be no District line trains between Turnham Green and Ealing Broadway on Saturday 25, Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May due to track works being completed.

Closures are subject to change. For the latest information, Check your travel at tfl.gov.uk/may-travel or follow us on Twitter.

Customers can find their nearest Santander Cycles docking station here:tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles 

Suggestions of walks in London can be found here: tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/