Two of southeast London’s key public transport links will be closed this weekend – making it harder for passengers to get into central London or across the Thames.
There will be no no Elizabeth Line between Paddington, Woolwich and Abbey Wood on Saturday and Sunday to allow for maintenance works, including fitting the line out for 4G mobile reception.
Normal Southeastern, Thameslink and Docklands Light Railway services are expected to run; Transport for London has said that the Jubilee Line will also run as normal but is expected to be very busy.
Other parts of the Elizabeth Line will also be affected by works, with no services to Heathrow all weekend. Airport passengers are being asked to use the Piccadilly Line instead.
The London Overground’s entire East London line will also be closed on Saturday and Sunday – meaning no trains between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction, Crystal Palace, New Cross, New Cross Gate and West Croydon. Passengers will have to use replacement buses between Canada Water and Clapham Junction or infrequent Southern services on other routes.
The London Transport Museum has taken advantage of the closure to offer rare tours of Brunel’s Thames Tunnel, which runs between Wapping and Rotherhithe. Tickets have now sold out, even with a £75 price tag.
Elizabeth Line trains will also not serve Woolwich or Abbey Wood on Boxing Day, with other closures planned on January 20-21, February 18 and over the March 29-April 1 Easter weekend.