Transport for London News update Week 3 July 2024

Warm Weather Advisory by TFL

With high temperatures predicted over the coming days, Transport for London (TfL) advises licensees to carry out regular vehicle checks. Ensure coolant, water, and oil levels are optimal and that the windscreen washer jets are functioning. Tyres should also be checked frequently to ensure they are correctly inflated. Drivers should be mindful of glare from the sun affecting their vision. Regular breaks, carrying water, and staying hydrated are also recommended.

Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels Consultation

TfL has launched a public consultation on proposed user charge levels for the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels. When the new Silvertown Tunnel opens, it will help reduce congestion around the Blackwall Tunnel and deliver faster, more reliable cross-river journeys for east London. To deliver the benefits of the tunnel and cover construction costs, charges will apply on both the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels from 06:00 to 22:00, 7 days a week.

Exemptions are proposed for taxis and blue badge holders, Zero-Emission Capable and wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles registered with TfL, DVLA-registered minibuses and coaches, as well as staff and patients eligible for the NHS reimbursement scheme. TfL invites the public to share their views on the charge levels, discounts, and exemptions proposed for the tunnels. The 8-week consultation runs until 3 September 2024. For more information and to participate, visit the consultation website.

Licensing Requirements Changed on 1 July

In response to the Department for Transport's Statutory Taxi and PHV Standards aimed at enhancing passenger safety, TfL has implemented changes set out in TPH Notice 05/24. Many of these standards are already in place in London. To help drivers, vehicle owners, and operators understand the new requirements, TfL has published the following guidance on their website:

• Taxi and Private Hire Drivers:

  • Certificates of Good Conduct guidance
  • Notification of police involvement guidance
  • DBS Update Service guidance

• Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Owners:

  • Signage for taxis and PHVs guidance

• Private Hire Operators:

  • PHV Operator register and booking records guidance
  • PHV Operator DBS checks guidance
  • Notification of police involvement guidance
  • Certificates of Good Conduct guidance

Events

Summer Series:
Thursday 18 until Sunday 21 July, Somerset House

First Night of the Proms 2024:
Friday 19 July, Royal Albert Hall

Garage:
Saturday 20 July, OVO Arena

London E-Prix:
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July, ExCeL Centre

Greenwich Peninsula's Jazz & Food Festival:
Saturday 20 July, Greenwich Peninsula

2024 USA Basketball Showcase London:
Saturday 20 until Tuesday 23 July, O2 Arena

The Oval:
From 18:30 until 21:00 on Thursday 18 July, The Oval will host the T20 cricket match between Surrey and Hampshire. Large crowds and increased traffic levels are expected before and after the match.

Central London:

• Until 07:00 on Friday 19 July, Abingdon Street/St Margaret Street will be closed for preparation works for the State Opening of Parliament.
• From 07:00 until 22:00 on Saturday 20 July, Carnaby Street, Kingly, Ganton Street, and Foulber Street will be closed for a music event. Large crowds are expected.
• From 08:00 until 14:00 on Saturday 20 July, a motoring event will take place in City of London. Large crowds and increased traffic levels are expected.
• From 06:00 until 10:00 on Sunday 21 July, there will be short traffic holds on Upper Thames Street for filming. Increased traffic levels and delays are expected.
• From 11:00 until 17:00 on Sunday 21 July, a cultural procession will take place from South Carriage Drive to Trafalgar Square. There will be extensive road closures along the route of the procession. Large crowds are expected.
• From 15:00 until 16:00 on Sunday 21 July, Dean Street, Frith Street, Romilly Street, Carlisle Street, and Soho Square will be closed for a sporting event. Large crowds are expected.

London Stadium:
From 11:30 until 17:30 on Saturday 20 July, the London Stadium will host an athletics event. Large crowds and increased traffic levels are expected before and after the event.

Southall:
From 18:30 until 23:59 on Saturday 20 July, Southall Park will be hosting a music event. Large crowds and increased traffic levels are expected before and after the event.

Walpole Park:
From 18:30 until 23:59 on Saturday 20 July, Walpole Park will be hosting a music event. Large crowds and increased traffic levels are expected.

Clerkenwell:
From 06:00 until 20:00 on Sunday 21 July, a religious festival event will take place in Clerkenwell, with a procession taking place from Clerkenwell Road to Hatton Garden. Large crowds and increased traffic levels are expected.

Road Closures and Traffic Updates

Blackwall Tunnel:
From 00:01 on Saturday 20 until 05:00 on Monday 22 July, Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic. This is while works continue to complete the new road layout as part of the Silvertown Tunnel construction. 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 extremely busy. Bus 108 will not cross the river from 22:00 on Friday 19 until midnight on Sunday 21 July. For more information, visit the Blackwall Tunnel page.

A40 Westway:
From Sunday 21 July until October 2024, there will be a series of closures affecting the slip roads on and off the A40 at the Westway roundabout and on the A3220 West Cross route. This is due to critical safety works. The first phase of these works will be from 22:00 on Sunday 21 July until Thursday 22 August, when the eastbound off-slip and the southbound A3220 West Cross route from the Westway roundabout will be closed. Drivers will not be able to exit the A40 to join the A3220 West Cross route traveling southbound. The westbound on-slip and A3220 northbound will remain open. The approach to Wood Lane, diversion routes, and local roads are expected to be extremely busy. Customers are urged to plan ahead and use alternative routes where possible. Use alternative routes such as the A312 The Parkway or the A406 North Circular for connections with the A4. Further information is available on TfL’s website.

A12 Colchester Road:
Until late September, there will be directional lane restrictions on the A12 Colchester Road between the junction with the M25 and the junction with Woodstock Avenue. This is due to essential Thames Water works. For more information, visit the National Highways website. Customers traveling during this time should allow more time to complete their journey and check before they travel.

A10 Kingsland High Street:
Until 6 October, there will be a series of lane restrictions, lane closures, and temporary lights on the A10 Kingsland High Street at the junction of Sandringham Road. This is to install new pedestrian and cycling crossing facilities across Kingsland High Street. Queues are expected on the A10 while these works take place. Roads in the surrounding areas are also likely to be busier as people use alternative routes. Allow more time for your journey and check before you travel.

Farringdon Street:
Until September 2024, Farringdon Street will be closed due to major gas main replacement works. Cadent Gas is carrying out these essential works as part of their wider program to improve the gas network across London. Visit Cadent Gas for more details about their works. Farringdon Street will be closed northbound between Ludgate Circus and Charterhouse Street. Traffic will be diverted via Fleet Street, Fetter Lane, New Fetter Lane, Holborn Circus, and Charterhouse Street. Long queues and significant delays are expected, especially on the diversion route. Some bus routes will also be impacted by these works.

HS2 A40 Works:
Until late October, the A40 Western Avenue will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Hanger Lane and Alperton Lane. Additional overnight lane restrictions and some directional closures will also be needed. Plan ahead, use alternative routes, and check before you travel. This is while HS2 continues work to build a new High-Speed rail line between London and Birmingham.

Rank Suspensions

The following ranks will be out of service:

• 5758 Charing Cross Road: From 06:00 until 19:00 every Monday to Saturday until Friday 10 January 2025. Second portion only to be suspended for a temporary bus stop.
• 6005 Berkeley Street (Novikov): Until 18:00 on Friday 19 July. Front 10 meters only to be suspended for traffic management of multiple carriageway utility works.
• 5744 Gillingham Street: Until 20:00 on Friday 19 July. Whole rank to be suspended for the installation of a water main. There is a road closure in place.
• 5773 Grosvenor Garden/Hobart Place: Until 18:00 on Wednesday 31 July. 30 meters on Grosvenor Gardens and rolling 15 meters on Hobart Place to be suspended for major water main replacement works. There is a lane closure in place. A temporary rank will be available in parking bays opposite the Cabman's Shelter.
• 6056 Victoria Station (second portion Wilton Road): Until 18:00 on Friday 20 September. Middle 20 meters only to be suspended for traffic management for the installation of a 30" water main.
• 5561 High Street, New Malden: Until Tuesday 24 December. Whole rank to be suspended between 09:00 and 15:00 every Monday to Friday for pit lane construction works.
• 5687 Piccadilly (Dilly Hotel): Until Friday 20 December. Whole rank to be suspended between 07:00 and 18:00 every day for a pit lane for building construction works. The taxi rank will be available from 18:00 to 07:00 each night.
• 5660 Argyll Street: From 13:00 until 20:00 on Thursday 18 July. Whole rank to be suspended for a VIP event. There is a road closure in place.
• 6210 Temple Place: From 07:00 on Monday 22 July until Friday 23 August. First portion to be suspended on Pont Street only for footway and carriageway works, which is part of the Sloane Street scheme. The shelter is closed during the works.
• 5807 Finsbury Square (City Road): From 00:01 until 23:30 on Tuesday 23 July. Whole rank to be suspended for the Great City Race, which will have road closures in place.
• 4699 Wellington Place: From 07:00 until 18:00 on Tuesday 23 July. First portion to be suspended for carriageway resurfacing.
• 6194 Greenwich Church Street (Cutty Sark): From 05:00 until 23:00 on Thursday 25 July. Whole rank to be suspended for cruise liner traffic management. A temporary rank will be available outside M&S.