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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Ross Lydall

TfL warns of central London Tube crowds during Coronation weekend

Tube services are expected to run as normal over the Coronation weekend but some stations will be exit-only and queuing may be necessary to cope with huge crowds.

But drivers are being told to steer clear of central London, where there will be widespread road closures, while many bus routes will be diverted or will terminate early around Westminster.

Transport for London said there were no planned closures on the Underground over the weekend of May 6-8, which includes the Bank Holiday Monday.

But it warned that services would be “very busy” and that some stations may have to close temporarily. St James’s Park station will be closed on the Saturday and Hyde Park Corner will be exit-only.

During the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last June, Westminster, St James’ Park and Hyde Park Corner Tube stations were closed at peak times and Green Park became “exit only” to help with crowd control.

The Night Tube and Night Overground will run on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 as normal.

Road closures will extend from Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross and Embankment west to Hyde Park Corner and south to Victoria Street. Strand and Charing Cross Road are also expected to be closed.

There will be temporary changes to the main cycle route through central London, Cycleway 3, on Constitution Hill and Buckingham Palace, for the next month – and the route will be closed on the day prior to the Coronation and on Coronation day itself.

Some residential roads across the capital’s 33 boroughs will be closed for street parties.

Last week the Standard revealed that 50,000 people a day are expected in Hyde Park to watch the Coronation procession, and the Windsor Castle Coronation concert the following day, on giant screens.

Those attending the celebrations are advised to plan ahead by visiting TfL’s website and the National Rail Inquiries site.

TfL commissioner Andy Lord said: “We expect central London to be very busy and the large-scale events will mean road closures in central London, so I’d advise people to check before they travel.

“I’d also encourage Londoners and those visiting to mark the celebrations to make the most of the public transport options, as there are no planned closures.”

Changes to Cycleway 3 began earlier this month, due to the preparations taking place near Buckingham Palace.

The decision to keep the cycle route open for as long as possible contrasts with the run-up to the Queen’s State funeral in September, when barriers and stewards blocked the route between Hyde Park Corner and Northumberland Avenue.

Much of the cycleway will also be closed on April 22 and 23 for the weekend of the London Marathon.

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