News Update: Transport for London 5th October 2024

Update on 05-Oct-2024

SERU Assessment Support

Transport for London (TfL) has added audio files of the Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Driver's Handbook to their website. These files, organized by chapter, are aimed at helping applicants prepare for their assessment by enhancing their knowledge and confidence.
In addition to the audio files, TfL provides an online assessment guide, designed to help applicants understand the format, types of questions, and what to expect during the assessment.

Blackwall Tunnel Closure

The Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic during the following times:

23:00 Friday 11 October to 05:00 Saturday 12 October
23:00 Friday 18 October to 05:00 Saturday 19 October

These closures are necessary to complete the new road layout as part of the Silvertown Tunnel project. The tunnel will remain open to northbound traffic during these times.
Roads and alternative river crossings in east and central London are expected to be busier than usual on Sunday 22 September. TfL advises drivers, especially those with larger vehicles, to use river crossings away from central London, as some crossings have restrictions. The Congestion Charging Zone will operate as usual. For more information, visit the Blackwall Tunnel webpage.

Toilet Facilities for Drivers

Taxi and private hire drivers have access to public toilet facilities throughout London. Visit TfL's website to find the nearest public toilet.

Heathrow Parking Complaints

Residents near Heathrow Airport have raised concerns about taxi and private hire drivers parking in residential areas. Drivers are reminded to use the authorised waiting area at the airport and to avoid parking in nearby residential streets.

Events

Sea Girls: Thursday 3 October, O2 Academy Brixton
Jordan Rakei: Friday 4 October, Royal Albert Hall
Eugene Onegin: Friday 4 October, Royal Opera House
Diljit Dosanjh: Friday 4 October, O2 Arena
Efterklang: Saturday 5 October, Barbican Centre
Peter Kay Live: Tuesday 8 October, O2 Arena

Tottenham Hale Music Event

Drumsheds will host a music event on the following dates:

Thursday 3 October (19:00-23:00)
Friday 4 October (18:30-22:30)
Saturday 5 October (13:00-22:30)

Large crowds and increased traffic are expected. TfL has set up a marshalled taxi rank and pre-booked PHV area at 6 Glover Drive, N18 3HF. Only drivers licensed in sectors 1, 2, and 9 are permitted to use this rank.

City of London Parade

A parade will take place on Friday 4 October from 10:30 to 13:00, along St Paul's Churchyard, Cannon Street, Queen Victoria Street, Queen Street, and King Street to the Guildhall. Expect large crowds and increased traffic.

Central London Ceremonial Event

On Saturday 5 October, from 11:30, a ceremonial wreath-laying event will take place at the Cenotaph, Whitehall. Large crowds are expected.

Central and West London Cycling Event

A cycling event will occur on Sunday 6 October from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle. The Mall and Marlborough Road will be closed from 05:00 to 09:30. Normal Sunday park closures will follow.

Ilford Religious Procession

On Sunday 6 October, from 07:00, a religious procession will take place from High Road (outside Redbridge Town Hall) to Melbourne Field via Cranbrook Road and Valentines Park. Large crowds are expected.

Trafalgar Square Cultural Event

An annual cultural event will be held at Trafalgar Square on Sunday 6 October, from 10:00 to 20:00. Expect large crowds.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Event

An American football match will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 6 October, with kick-off at 14:30. Large crowds, increased traffic, and delays are expected.

Demonstrations

BBC Broadcasting House: A static demonstration will take place at 14:00 on Friday 4 October outside BBC Broadcasting House, Portland Place. Large crowds are expected.
Russell Square to Whitehall: A mobile demonstration will occur from 12:00 to 16:30 on Saturday 5 October, starting at Russell Square and passing through Southampton Row, Kingsway, Aldwych, and The Strand. Expect delays as crowds form at 12:00 and begin moving at 13:00.

Road Updates

Blackwall Tunnel

Southbound traffic closures:

23:00 Friday 11 October to 05:00 Saturday 12 October
23:00 Friday 18 October to 05:00 Saturday 19 October

On Sundays 13 and 20 October, roads and alternative river crossings in east and central London are expected to be busier than normal. Larger vehicles should use crossings away from central London due to restrictions. The Congestion Charging Zone will operate as usual. For more details, visit the Blackwall Tunnel webpage.

A40 Westway Closure

Until mid-October, the A3220 West Cross Route from Holland Park roundabout to Westway roundabout will be closed to northbound traffic due to planned safety and maintenance works. Diversion routes will be in place, but local roads are expected to be extremely busy. Delays to join the A40 Westway are likely. Alternative routes include A312 The Parkway or A406 North Circular.

Farringdon Road Closure

Farringdon Road will remain closed southbound between Ray Street Bridge and Charterhouse Street until 10 November for essential gas works.

Rank Suspensions by Transport for London

The following taxi ranks will be out of service during the specified times:

Duke Street (Selfridges), Rank 5565
From 22:00 on Friday 4 October until 06:00 the next morning. Entire rank will be suspended for deliveries to a pop-up shop.
Romford Road (Bow County Court), Rank 5429
From 07:00 on Saturday 5 October until 18:00 on Sunday 6 October. Entire rank will be suspended for a crane operation.
Tottenham Court Road (Spearmint Rhino), Rank 6128
From 07:00 on Monday 7 October until 18:00 on Friday 11 October. Entire rank will be suspended for utility works.
Hans Crescent/Basil Street (Harrods), Rank 5658
From 08:00 on Monday 7 October until 18:00 on Tuesday 8 October. Entire rank on Hans Crescent and the front 2 spaces on Basil Street will be suspended for traffic management of carriageway utility works.
Victoria Station (Wilton Road), Rank 6056
From 07:00 until 16:00 each day until Friday 4 October. 20 metres of the rank will be suspended for scaffolding at the Apollo Theatre to allow safe parking for a lorry.
Blackburn Road (O2 Centre), Finchley Road, Rank 5818
Until 18:00 on Tuesday 8 October. Entire rank will be suspended to facilitate carriageway utility works. A partial road closure is in place.
Canfield Gardens (Finchley Road Station), Rank 5534
Until 23:59 on Sunday 20 October. Entire rank will be suspended for traffic management of carriageway utility works. A partial road closure is in place.
Dover Street (Mahiki), Rank 5861
From 08:00 until 18:00 each day until Monday 21 October. Entire rank will be suspended for building refurbishment at the Clarence PH.
Canfield Gardens (Finchley Road Station), Rank 5535
Until 18:00 on Monday 4 November. Entire rank will be suspended for carriageway utility works. A partial road closure is in place.
Finsbury Pavement, Rank 5290
From 07:00 until 18:00 each day until Friday 22 November. Entire rank will be suspended for deliveries for a building retrofit.
Piccadilly (Dilly Hotel), Rank 5687
Until Friday 20 December. Entire rank will be suspended from 07:00 until 18:00 every day for building construction works. The taxi rank will be available from 18:00 to 07:00 each night.
High Street, New Malden, Rank 5561
Until Tuesday 24 December. Entire rank will be suspended from 09:00 to 15:00 every Monday to Friday for pit lane construction works.
Charing Cross Road, Rank 5758
From 06:00 until 19:00 every Monday to Saturday until Friday 10 January 2025. Second portion of the rank will be suspended for a temporary bus stop.
Cranbourne Street (Leicester Square), Rank 5737
From 06:00 until 11:00 every Monday to Saturday until Friday 28 February 2025. Rear 10 metres of the rank will be suspended during these times for the installation of scaffolding and deliveries to the building refurbishment gantry.
Lewis Grove/Albion Way, Rank 6152
Until March 2025. 10 metres of the rank on Lewis Grove will be suspended for carriageway utility works. A northbound lane closure is in place.
Southwark Street (O'Meara Street), Rank 5578
From 08:00 until 12:00 every Monday to Saturday until Friday 28 March 2025. Entire rank will be suspended during these times for deliveries to the Menier Gallery building.