PLAN AHEAD: London sets out transport network options for New Year’s Eve as central roads closures tighten
- Perry Richardson
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Transport for London (TfL) confirmed that much of London’s public transport network will operate through the night on Wednesday 31 December, as the capital prepares for large-scale New Year’s Eve travel demand and major central London restrictions linked to the Mayor of London’s fireworks display.
The transport authority is urging passengers to plan journeys in advance, check live service updates and allow extra time, particularly in central areas affected by road closures, bridge shutdowns and station crowd controls. Normal TfL fares will apply across the network throughout the night, with no free travel period in place.
Central London will see the heaviest disruption from early afternoon. Road closures will be introduced to support the fireworks operation, with buses diverted and pedestrian access restricted in several locations. From 14:00, key Thames crossings including Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and the Golden Jubilee Footbridges will close, with additional bridges shutting later in the evening. TfL has warned that other bridges may close at short notice on public safety grounds.
Taxi and private hire services will play a key role in late-night travel, though passengers are being warned about higher tariffs. From 20:00 on New Year’s Eve until 06:00 on Friday 2 January, black cabs will apply a £4 surcharge per journey, while private hire operators may add their own additional charges. Availability may also be affected in some areas by road closures and congestion.
TfL confirms overnight Tube, rail and bus services alongside widespread bridge, road and station closures to support the capital’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.
A number of Underground stations will close or operate exit-only during peak evening periods. Planned closures include Westminster from 21:30, Leicester Square from 23:30, Piccadilly Circus from 23:30 and Blackfriars from 23:30. Stations close to the fireworks footprint are expected to manage queues and restrict interchange to control crowd flow.
Despite the restrictions, overnight rail services form the backbone of TfL’s New Year’s Eve offer. The Tube will run all night on a reduced Saturday timetable, with no District line services to Kensington Olympia and no Piccadilly line services between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge. The Waterloo and City line will operate until 02:40, running every 10 minutes after 23:30.
The Elizabeth Line will also operate through the night on a reduced Saturday service, although Liverpool Street Elizabeth line platforms will remain closed, with passengers directed to Broadgate or Moorgate entrances instead. The Docklands Light Railway will run all night with trains every 15 minutes after 00:30, while London Trams will provide overnight services between Wimbledon and New Addington and Wimbledon and Beckenham Junction.
London Overground services will run selectively overnight, with special all-night operations on parts of the Mildmay, Weaver and Windrush lines, but no overnight services on the Lioness, Suffragette or Liberty lines. National Rail services will operate subject to individual operator timetables, and TfL is advising passengers to check before travelling.
Bus services will follow Saturday day and night patterns, with some routes running more frequently and a small number of day routes operating overnight. However, diversions across central London are expected to be extensive, particularly around the Thames and West End.
For those driving, TfL has confirmed that the Congestion Charge will not operate on the day, though ULEZ and LEZ charges remain in force, and the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnel charge will apply. Walking and cycling will be heavily restricted in central areas, with bridge closures and controlled pedestrian zones in place, and several Santander Cycle docking stations out of service until Thursday evening.
TfL has reiterated that access to the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks will be ticket-only, with Primrose Hill closed throughout the day. Passengers without tickets are advised not to travel into the fireworks zone and to plan alternative routes home well ahead of midnight.
