Queen Elizabeth II: Extra trains planned for mourners headed to London

By Katy AustinTransport correspondent

Transport bosses have confirmed that extra train services will be running for people travelling to London to pay respects to the Queen.

Demand is expected to be particularly heavy from Wednesday, when the public can attend the lying-in-state at Westminster Hall from 17:00 BST.

The Rail Delivery Group said it was doing “all it can” to ensure smooth journeys during the period of mourning.

It also said a limited service would run through the night on some routes.

The industry body, which represents train companies, told customers to check journey planners for the most up-to-date information.

The Queen, who died on Thursday aged 96, will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four full days before her funeral, meaning the public will be allowed to view her coffin.

Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, are expected to travel to the capital.

The Rail Delivery Group said services to, and stations in London, would be “extremely busy” as a result.

It has urged passengers to leave plenty of time for travel during the official mourning period, which ends the day of the Queen’s state funeral on Monday 19 September.

Transport for London and Network Rail said there were plans to ensure people could travel “as easily as possible”.

“The transport industry is working hard to help people pay their respects in London and across the United Kingdom,” said Sir Peter Hendy, chair of Network Rail.

“Please make sure you check before you travel as we expect the road and transport networks to be busy.”

Network Rail said a normal timetable would be running on the day of the funeral, rather than a reduced one that might operate on a regular bank holiday, along with some additional services.

Andy Byford, TfL’s transport commissioner, said that while normal services were scheduled on the London Underground, “there may be short notice changes and diversions as a result of the large number of people travelling and necessary road closures”.

Some underground stations will be busier than normal, TfL said, with some disruption expected due to some stations being temporarily closed, or normal routes in and around stations being changed.

People have been told to avoid Green Park tube station if possible, and to use others such as Victoria, Piccadilly Circus and St James’ Park.

The Elizabeth Line does not usually operate any services on a Sunday on the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood, but this Sunday it will operate 12 trains an hour.

Some bus services will be diverted because of road closures, including night buses, and some taxi ranks will be closed as cabs and coaches will be affected by road closures.

The Queen’s coffin will to be flown from Edinburgh Airport to RAF Northolt on Tuesday afternoon, before being taken into London.

Edinburgh’s airspace will be closed for a period, meaning some passenger services due to arrive or depart have had to be cancelled or re-scheduled.