Speaking ahead of the late monarch’s stateside stay, Andy Byford, the TfL commissioner, said planning for today and the funeral was more complicated than the 2012 Olympics as it was “impossible” to accurately predict the size of the crowd. He also said the situation was being managed “minute by minute” from a command center along with other agencies and government departments. The Queen’s coffin carried into Westminster Hall – live updates “The most recent approximation or estimate is that there will potentially be as many as 750,000 people in line to stay in the state, which is a huge number in itself,” Mr Byford said. “But if you take the whole ten-day mourning period and the various events that happen during it – obviously some happened elsewhere – but even the London element of it, we’re talking well north of a million people. “So this is huge. This is the biggest event and challenge that TfL has faced in its history, and we have to rise to that challenge.”
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Since last Thursday, ridership has increased at London Underground stations near Buckingham Palace. TfL figures show more than 19,000 people started or ended their journeys at Hyde Park Corner station yesterday, double the total on the same day last week. Mr Byford said TfL was “accustomed to dealing with large crowds” and would take measures such as temporarily restricting access to the busiest Tube stations and directing passengers to other stations to “spread the load”. Image: People gather at Buckingham Palace for the procession of Queen Elizabeth’s coffin. Photo: Reuters Green Park has already become an exit-only station to avoid overcrowding. A special service will run on the Elizabeth Line between Paddington and Abbey Wood on Sunday to ease pressure on other parts of London’s transport network. This section of the line – which was opened by the Queen in May – is usually closed on Sundays for testing and software updates. Mr Byford said TfL has recruited “literally an army of people” and canceled non-essential meetings to give the Queen the mission she deserves. “I’ve asked everyone to step up, I’ve asked everyone to volunteer and the response has been fantastic,” he said. “We’ve pulled out all the stops to send Her Majesty off in style with an exceptional transport offering.” Trains to run ‘throughout the night’ Rail operators have also set out how they plan to manage the huge influx of London-bound passengers. Some services will run overnight, while scheduled engineering work has been canceled to allow more trains in and out of the capital. The Queen’s recumbent will be open 24 hours a day until closing at 6.30am. on Monday September 19 – the day of her funeral. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:38 ‘3,172 people’ Queen queue counter Southeastern will operate the following night services approximately every two hours between Wednesday and Monday: Victoria to Dartford, Gillingham, Orpington and Ashford. Charing Cross to Orpington and Tunbridge Wells. and St Pancras International at Ashford International. Network Rail stressed that night trains would be “limited” and advised customers to check journey planners for the most up-to-date information. Most rail operators are expected to run additional rail services during the day – although details are yet to be finalised. Avanti West Coast, which has been operating a reduced timetable in recent weeks due to driver shortages, said it was operating up to four extra flights a day each way between London and Manchester from Tuesday. Read more: Queue route revealed to see Queen lie in state Queen’s coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace as thousands cheer Road closures stopped Meanwhile, National Highways has announced it has halted planned closures of motorways serving London until after the funeral to ease congestion. It said existing roadworks would be removed “where possible”, with cones and temporary signs removed from 6am on Friday until next Tuesday. National Express said London Victoria Coach Station will be closed on Monday, when most of its London services will be diverted via Wembley Stadium.
