Network Rail said there would be extra services in the mourning period
(Picture: Urban Images/Alamy/PA)Her Majesty The Queen’s lying in state at the Palace of Westminster opens to the public from 5pm on Wednesday September 14 and closes at 6.30am on Monday September 19 for the state funeral. It will be open 24 hours a day.
As part of the policing operation, which forms part of Operation London Bridge, certain roads will be closed to all vehicles, and travel will be affected.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Which roads are closed?
From 8am on Thursday September 15 access to parts of central London are limited to restricted vehicles. The restricted zone is bounded by Grosvenor Place to the west, Piccadilly between Hyde Park Corner and Green Park Tube station and then The Mall to Trafalgar Square, with Green Park falling within the restricted zone. To the east much of Whitehall, part of Victoria Embankment and Westminster Bridge are closed, as is the area around Westminster Abbey as far as Millbank. The area around Buckingham Palace is closed to vehicles and all of St James’s Park is in the zone, as is Birdcage Walk. Cycle lanes are also affected.
On arrival, authorised drivers need to produce official photo ID and a delivery note. There is still access for pedestrians.
2/2 Thurs, 15th – ROAD CLOSURES:
— Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) September 14, 2022
From around 8am the road closures –marked in purple –will be in place.
There is restricted vehicle access, authorised vehicles only.
There are no planned pedestrian restrictions and cycles may be pushed.
Westminster Bridge will remain closed. pic.twitter.com/8vEU2QQhoY
Which stations are closed?
Tube and rail lines are all running. Stations near commemorative and ceremonial events are likely to be busy, particularly at street level.
Green Park Tube station is open only for interchanges and exits, and the bus stop that serves it is suspended until Tuesday September 20. Avoid Green Park station if you need step-free access.
The stations expected to be busy are Charing Cross, Embankment, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, St James’s Park, Victoria, Waterloo and Westminster.
The Waterloo and City line is likely to be closed on bank holiday Monday.
Nearby alternatives to reach Buckingham Palace are St James’s Park, Piccadilly Circus and Victoria. They may operate differently or close temporarily at short notice on the busiest days, such as this weekend.
Rail operators are planning extra trains, including at night, to serve the capital and Monday will not be a bank holiday service.
The new west-east Elizabeth Tube line will run on 18 September, the first time it has operated on a Sunday.
Are buses still running?
Due to road closures, some routes in central London, particularly in Westminster, are being diverted or stopping short of their destination and may be running a reduced service. Some night services are affected. More specific details are available from Transport for London.
Can I cycle?
Cycling around central London might prove difficult, as you may be asked to dismount and walk at times.
Cycleway 3 is suspended between Duke of Wellington Place and Northumberland Avenue. Follow the signed diversion.
Some Santander cycle hire docking stations around Green Park, St James’s Park, Westminster and Whitehall are closed.
