Planned industrial action on DLR suspended in London

AVRUPA TIMES/LONDON-Road closures will still be in place on Sunday 22 April, so customers are advised to check before they travel. Planned industrial action on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) between 04:00 Friday 20 April and 03:59 Tuesday 24 April has been suspended. The DLR will now run a full service throughout the weekend, enabling participants in the London Marathon to travel to ExCeL to register ahead of the event and reach the start line in Greenwich on Sunday. Passengers travelling to and from London City Airport will also be able to use DLR services as normal.

Mark Davis, Interim General Manager of the DLR, said: “For the thousands of runners raising millions of pounds for charity this weekend, we are delighted that the planned industrial action on the DLR has been suspended. Our services will help all those participating and supporting the London Marathon travel across London for this fantastic event. Walking, cycling and public transport will be the easiest way to get around and make the most of the day and I encourage anyone travelling around south east and central London to be aware of the road closures and to plan their journey in advance.”

All other TfL services will also be operating as normal. From 06:00 on Sunday, there will be road closures in place along the Marathon route, including around Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs, and all approaches to Upper Thames Street, Tower Hill and Victoria Embankment. Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower, Southwark and Westminster Bridges will also be closed and some Santander Cycles docking stations in the marathon area will be suspended over the weekend. Customers are advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys, with real-time travel information provided through TfL's social media channels throughout the day at tfl.gov.uk/socialmedia.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and if possible avoid driving near the affected areas or travel at a different time and allow more time for their journey. There will be a phased reopening of the roads from around midday with all roads expected to be fully reopened by 19:00.

The London Marathon route will take runners past some of the capital’s most famous and historic landmarks. All visitors are advised to plan their day carefully and to avoid busy areas, in particular Greenwich town centre, Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge. Spectators can choose the best place to watch here: https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/

All runners, race officials and on-duty St John Ambulance volunteers will be able to travel for free from early morning until 18:30 on London Underground, London Buses, London Overground, DLR and Tram by showing their race number, officials’ course pass or tabard.