Travel advice note - New Year's Eve fireworks
Travel in the City of London will be affected on this day so plan ahead for an easier journey. The information here will help you understand how your journey might be affected.
The Event
The Mayor of London’s pyrotechnics and lighting display will take place on New Year’s Eve and is focused around the Coca-Cola London Eye. The event opens with music, leading into a countdown as midnight approaches followed by a 10 minute fireworks display at midnight. As in previous years, there will be a ticketed area along Victoria Embankment including Waterloo Bridge.
Road closures
Extensive road closures will be in place across London including some parts of the City. Closures will be introduced progressively from 2 pm and are likely to be in place until 6 am on New Year’s Day. Where possible and safe to do so, some roads may re-open earlier.
Certain roads, however, will remain closed until 6 pm on New Year’s Day due the New Year’s Day Parade. More information regarding this event can be found at www.lnydp.com
Pedestrian Access
Large crowds are expected in London and people should allow plenty of time to get around. Crossing the river on foot will become progressively more difficult throughout the day. Access across Westminster Bridge will be restricted from around 2pm, with Golden Jubilee Footbridge and Waterloo Bridges restricted from 4pm.
Between 4 pm and 7.30 pm it will be possible to cross Waterloo Bridge via vehicle or bus. After 7.30 pm it will be possible to cross the river via Lambeth or Blackfriars bridges unless these must be closed for public safety reasons.
The map below shows the times of restrictions. You can also view the affected areas map or pedestrian restrictions map by visiting www.london.gov.uk
Public Transport
Measures will be in place to ensure the safety of all visitors to London and these may impact on transport in the city. Because of large number of people travelling on the day some stations may close early , become one-way after a certain time, or shut temporarily at any point through the day or night. Information on travel by public transport can be found on TfL’s website www.tfl.gov.uk/nye and National Rail’s website www.nationalrail.co.uk
Station Closures are detailed below:
Blackfriars - exit-only from 9pm
Charing Cross - closes at 7pm and will reopen on Sunday 1 January at 7.15am
Covent Garden - exit-only from 7pm
Embankment - the riverside exit will close at 16:00; the station will close from 11.30pm until around 0.15am
Leicester Square - exit and interchange only from 8pm
Russell Square - exit-only from 10.30pm
Southwark - exit-only from 11.45pm to 3am
St James's Park - Palmer Street entrance/exit closed
Victoria - much busier than usual, with a managed queuing system
Waterloo - the Jubilee Colonnade exit will be exit-only from midnight; the mainline rail entrance will be entrance-only from midnight
Westminster - Exit 1 to Victoria Embankment, Exits 2 and 3 to Bridge Street and Exits 5 and 6 to Parliament Street will close at 4pm; from 9.30pm the whole station will close and trains will not stop