Latest news with #StratfordInternational
Time Out
23-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Major timetable changes are coming to London's DLR next month – before new trains are introduced later this year
Regular users of the DLR, listen up. The automated east London transport network is changing its timetable this summer, with TfL cutting back on services before it introduces the network's much-anticipated (and much-delayed) new trains. The changes are temporary and apparently intended to 'ensure a reliable service can be maintained across the entire DLR network'. TfL says the reduced timetable is designed to coincide with the start of the school summer holidays (when the service is usually quieter) and that it focuses on parts of the network where demand is typically lower. The DLR's new trains were announced back in June 2023, with initial designs showing off vehicles with fancy stuff like air-conditioning and USB charging ports. The vehicles – which, compared to the current fleet, are turquoise, more reliable and 10 percent more spacious – were supposed to be in operation back at the end of 2024, then they were delayed indefinitely. TfL now says the first of the DLR's 54 new trains will begin coming into service this year. Here's what you need to know about the DLR's new timetable. Beckton to Canning Town/Stratford International – no services (though Tower Gateway to Beckton will run) Stratford and Lewisham – no services in peak hours (6.30am-10am and 4pm-7.30pm). If required, customers should change at Canary Wharf. Services between Canary Wharf and Stratford will run every five minutes in peak times and every six and a half minutes off peak. Bank to Lewisham services will continue to run as normal. The new timetable will begin on July 21 and the full timetable will be reintroduced once enough trains are back in service. Commenting on the new timetable, TfL's chief capital officer Stuart Harvey said: 'The testing of the new DLR trains is progressing well and customers will start to be able to use these modern trains later this year. The new trains will ensure a more frequent and reliable service across the network and support growth in the Docklands and beyond. 'We need to begin retiring some of the oldest trains, meaning some short-term timetable changes are required. We apologise for this inconvenience to customers, but they are necessary to ensure we can maintain the safest most reliable service.'
Time Out
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Time Out
London travel disruption this weekend: full list of tube and train closures for June 20-23
London is in for an absolutely sizzling weekend. The capital is set to reach a blistering 33C on Saturday, so we wouldn't blame you for keeping activity to a minimum and avoiding trains like the plague. At the same time, though there's tonnes of stuff going on throughout the city that will be worth the sweaty tube ride, we promise. There's Little Simz' Meltdown festival, the Kew Midsummer Fete, the SAFAR Film Festival, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and loads, loads more. Plus, of course, Dua Lipa's first ever headline shows at Wembley Stadium. The last thing you want in this heat is having to unexpectedly replan your route and be walking around more than absolutely necessary. So, we're here will all the information you need on planned train and tube disruptions from Friday, June 20 to Sunday June 22. Dua Lipa at Wembley Stadium travel advice For Dua Lipa's huge concerts on Friday and Saturday, you'll need to get to Wembley Park station (Jubilee and Metropolitan lines), Wembley Stadium station (Chiltern Main Line) or Wembley Central station (Bakerloo and Lioness lines). There's some planned disruption on several Overground lines on the day of the first show so you may need to rethink the route you originally had planned. More details on those below. Full list of tube and train disruptions in London this weekend DLR There'll be partial closures on the DLR on Saturday and Sunday, with no service between Poplar / Stratford International and Beckton / Woolwich Arsenal. TfL says you should use either the Elizabeth line, Jubilee line or the replacement bus services on offer instead. District Don't expect any District line services between Turnham Green and Richmond on Sunday. You'll need to use replacement bus service DL3, which will go between Willesden Junction and Richmond via Acton Central, South Acton (Acton Lane), Turnham Green, Chiswick Park, Gunnersbury and Kew Gardens. Overground Suffragette If you tend to travel in the early hours of the morning, bear in mind that on Friday, the 5.48am train from Barking Riverside to Gospel Oak and the 6.24am train from Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside won't be running. Mildmay On Friday, there are no southbound services from Willesden Junction to Shepherds Bush until 6.15am. Lioness There's only a slight alteration on the Lioness line – on Friday, the 5.29am train from Watford Junction to Euston will start from Willesden Junction at 6.04am instead. Weaver Weaver services between Hackney Downs and Chingford will stop running from 10.45pm on Sunday. There'll be replacement buses you can hop on instead. Windrush There'll be no Windrush services between New Cross Gate and West Croydon / Crystal Palace on either Saturday or Sunday. National Rail Southern Rail No services will go between London Bridge and Crystal Palace / East Croydon (via Forest Hill) on Sunday. There are also no trains running between East Croydon and Gatwick Airport on the same day due to urgent repair work.
The Independent
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Will Gemini Trains leave the station any time soon?
Q Do you think the new Gemini services from London to Paris will actually happen? Rebecca H A Gemini Trains is one of several contenders aiming to compete with Eurostar, the incumbent operator from London St Pancras International to Paris, Brussels and the Netherlands. Eurostar has had the lucrative cross-Channel passenger train market to itself since the Channel Tunnel opened in 1994. The start-up plans to purchase 10 new trains for the service and promises 'competitive fares on comfortable, high-quality and frequent train services between the UK and continental Europe'. If it is permitted to launch trains through the Channel Tunnel, services will not start from the terminal at St Pancras – but six miles down the track at Stratford International. Stratford is served by the Elizabeth Line from central London, Heathrow airport and Reading. Two Underground lines – the Central and Jubilee – provide other connections, as does the London Overground, Greater Anglia and the Docklands Light Railway. Regrettably, it is a 10-minute walk from Stratford's main station to the International station, but perhaps some kind of shuttle will be provided. Gemini Trains will also call at Ebbsfleet, the north Kent station mothballed by Eurostar since Covid and Brexit. Gemini's chances of success improved sharply when the transport tech giant Uber said it would go into partnership. Services from Stratford to Paris Nord and Brussels Midi could begin by 2030 – which might look an age away, but in international rail terms is relatively swift. One big concern is stabling for the trains; Temple Mills depot is close to full just with Eurostar trains. As well as Gemini Trains, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Italy's state railway operator FS Italiane Group are hoping to start services from London to Paris. I expect at least one of them to launch – hopefully, all three will do so. The High Speed 1 line and the Channel Tunnel are both running at about half their capacity, and the traveller deserves better. Q You have been writing about fare dodging and the complexity of rail fares. Perhaps a small number of exceptionally quiet off-peak services could be free? That would allow legitimate travel for those who can't afford to travel at convenient times. Peter C A Your idea is well worth an airing. Fresh thinking about public transport is much needed. As a frequent rail passenger across the UK, I always feel despondent when boarding (for example) an early afternoon midweek train and find I am virtually the only passenger in a carriage built for 70 or 80: what a waste of safe, swift capacity. Could it not be used to transport people who are currently not paying? This would provide much-needed mobility, and possibly tempt motorists to switch to the train. Well, I have modelled what might happen if, for example, the 1.18pm Greater Anglia service on a Wednesday from London Liverpool Street to Clacton in Essex was declared free. This is one of many such trains that are almost certain to be lightly loaded. It stops nine times along the way to the resort at the end of the line, including Chelmsford and Colchester. I predict that most passengers who would normally travel around lunchtime on trains to those cities would switch to the free option. In addition, people whose final destination is Ipswich or Norwich would take the opportunity to cut the cost of their journey. They would avail of the free train and pay only for the segment onwards from Colchester. They would change trains and wait for the next express to Suffolk and Norfolk, which would become extremely crowded with people who had the same plan. Moving motorists to trains is a noble ambition, but I must point out that Luxembourg introduced nationwide free travel five years ago, and traffic congestion is still terrible. Perhaps, though, I can finesse your concept by recommending a heavily discounted fare – perhaps £5 compared with a typical price of £20. That is pitched temptingly low for people who currently travel ticketless to conclude fare dodging is not worth the risk – but not quite so cheap that mayhem breaks out on Greater Anglia as existing passengers converge on a bargain train. The train operator will soon come under UK government control – a good moment to test the concept. Q I read your article about easyJet passengers spending 23 hours travelling from Palma to Liverpool. Two things intrigued me: is it normal for a person whose condition causes a diversion to be allowed back on the flight? And will the passengers be due any compensation? Jenny R A An easyJet plane from Mallorca to Merseyside was at 38,000 feet over southwest France shortly after midnight on Wednesday when crew were alerted to a male passenger experiencing a health issue. The pilots decided to divert, turned around and landed half an hour later at Bordeaux airport. Paramedics attended the aircraft. The passenger, who was able to walk off the aircraft, was taken to a local hospital for a check-up. While that was happening, the normal procedure would be for the plane to refuel and continue its journey. But no fuel was available due to the late hour, and the flight could not continue. As a result, everyone was offloaded. Passengers had to spend almost all of the next day in Bordeaux as a new crew was found for the flight. Happily, the gentleman who was unwell on the original flight was also on board after undergoing checks and being passed as fit to fly. So there was no reason for him not to fly home with everyone else (including the original crew, who travelled back as passengers). This is far from normal. In almost all other cases, one or both of the following happens: the medical condition is serious enough to warrant extended medical treatment, or the flight is able to continue once the passenger (and their baggage) have left the aircraft. It is clear that easyJet was dealt a difficult hand, with almost all hotels in the area full. Some passengers had to spend the night – and much of the following day – at the airport. Under air passengers' rights rules, no one is entitled to any cash compensation. Unlike 'delay repay' on the railways, the deciding factor for a payout is whether the airline was at fault. When the pilots divert due to concern for a passenger's health, that is classed as an 'exceptional circumstance' and easyJet is excused from paying compensation. Q We will be visiting our daughter in Australia this November and will spend some time in Adelaide en route. We would also like to visit Kangaroo Island. Is this doable on a day trip or would you recommend a stay on the island? Chris B A Kangaroo Island lies west of Cape Jervis in South Australia, which itself is about 100km (62 miles) southwest of the state capital, Adelaide. It is Australia's third-largest island, after Tasmania and Melville Islands in the Northern Territory – and bigger than some sizeable English counties, such as Kent and Cornwall. Yet if you want simply to see some highlights, there are plenty of tours that will take you there for the day. They mostly involve the ferry from Cape Jervis – a 45-minute voyage to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Three main island attractions are on the western half of the south coast: sea lions frolicking at Seal Bay Conservation Park; the weirdly sculpted Remarkable Rocks on the edge of the Southern Ocean; and the boardwalk descent towards another natural feature, Admirals Arch, at Kangaroo Island's version of Land's End. The other essential: Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, plumb in the middle of the island, where you can see the island's distinctive kangaroos – shorter, stockier and darker than the mainland marsupials. If time and money are not on your side, go for the Sealink one-day trip from Adelaide, costing $227 (£109). While it is a long day – 16 hours – you will get a sense of the island. Ideally, though, make it a longer adventure: three days with a rental car from Adelaide. This will allow you to pause and enjoy the scenery of the Fleurieu Peninsula along the way rather than racing through to Cape Jervis. More importantly, it will give you time to appreciate the island in more depth. In particular, you should sample at least a few hours of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. The stretch of this trans-island path running east from the Southern Ocean Lodge is particularly rewarding for both coastal views and inland nature. If you plan to splash out at any time during your Australian trip, and have an industrial-strength credit card, consider staying there for two nights (the minimum stay) – for around £3,500.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Could Stratford replace St Pancras as the gateway to Europe?
The transport tech giant Uber is to take on Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel – but you may need an Uber to reach the departure station in east London. Uber has teamed up with a start-up operator, Gemini Trains, to promote a planned rival service linking London with Paris and Brussels. If the partners are permitted to launch trains to Continental Europe, they will not start from the terminal at St Pancras – but six miles down the track at Stratford International. 'Stratford is actually a bit of a blank canvas,' said Adrian Quine, chief executive of Gemini Trains. 'It's a bit like London City airport as opposed to Heathrow or Gatwick: it's very quick and easy to get through. It's going to be far less crowded, so we think it's a bit of a jewel in the crown.' When the High Speed 1 (HS1) line from London St Pancras International to the Channel was constructed, the suburban station at Stratford was fitted out to handle passengers heading for France and beyond. But it has only ever been used for domestic Southeastern trains using the high-speed track to stations in Kent, with the international facilities lying idle. Mr Quine said: 'Stratford might not be so central as St Pancras, but I think door to door from central London, it's going to be as quick, if not quicker.' Stratford is served by the Elizabeth Line from central London, Heathrow airport and Reading. Two Underground lines – the Central and Jubilee – provide other connections. The London Overground and Greater Anglia operate many trains to and from Stratford. An Uber from central London to the east London station currently costs around £24. Gemini Trains says it will also serve Ebbsfleet in north Kent en route to the Continent. Ebbsfleet, along with Ashford International, was mothballed after a combination of Covid and Brexit led to Eurostar abandoning the Kent stations. Mr Quine said that services from Stratford to Paris Nord and Brussels Midi could begin by 2030. Gemini Trains is one of several contenders aiming to compete with Eurostar, which has had the cross-Channel passenger market to itself since the tunnel opened in 1994. The start-up plans to purchase 10 new trains for the service and promises 'competitive fares on comfortable high-quality and frequent train services between the UK and continental Europe'. The Independent calculates that this relatively small fleet might operate 10 round-trips per day to Paris and a further five to Brussels and back. Mr Quine said it would have two classes; Eurostar has three. Under the marketing agreement, Uber would co-brand the Gemini Trains service and sell tickets through its app. It already sells Eurostar tickets along with domestic rail, and co-brands the Thames Clipper ferry service through London. Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber UK said: 'This collaboration with Gemini Trains is our latest step in how we're helping people get where they want to go. We're excited about the opportunity to bring our brand to the iconic Channel Tunnel journey.' Mr Quine said: 'Innovation and value are at the very heart of what we do so it's really exciting to be teaming up with Uber, an instantly recognisable global brand which has revolutionised the travel industry. Now passengers will be able to enjoy the same value and comfort on brand new 'cutting edge' trains at the touch of a button.' Rob Burgess, founder of the frequent-flyer website Head for Points, said: 'This is arguably a logical step for Uber. It has had success selling Eurostar tickets via its app, because of the 5 per cent cashback it offers, and the Uber Boat branding on the River Thames boat shuttles appears to be successful. 'It seems a win for both sides. Eurostar's brand is strong, the Gemini brand is not. Uber will be a great help here. 'However, there is a long, long way to go before Gemini can get the necessary permissions and get its hands on rolling stock. Uber can pick up some free publicity now without having to worry about delivering anything in the short or even medium term." As well as Gemini Trains, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Italy's state railway operator FS Italiane Group are hoping to start services from London to Paris. The High Speed 1 line and the Channel Tunnel are both running at about half their capacity. London St Pancras Highspeed, which runs both the terminal station and HS1, says there is the potential for passenger numbers to triple from 11 million to 35 million by 2040. The infrastructure operator's chief executive, Robert Sinclair, told The Independent 's daily travel podcast: 'With competition comes more choice, more destinations, lower fares and lower emissions, so we can see the market really opening up.' His organisation plans to turn much of the St Pancras international arrivals complex into a departure area. Eurostar's general secretary, Gareth Williams, said: 'We support competition and growth through international rail.' But the incumbent has raised concerns about a lack of train depot capacity at Temple Mills, near Stratford.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The London Underground stations and line closures this weekend
With the weekend upon us, it's time to check what planned TfL closures are taking place from Friday, May 2, to Bank Holiday Monday, May 5. As with most weekends, some stations will be closed or partly closed for TfL to carry out essential work. We've broken down a list of all the work on the London Underground, Overground and Elizabeth Line this weekend to ensure you don't get caught out and can plan ahead. To get the most up-to-date stats for the Underground, you can use the TfL app or website. Welcome to the @GoogleUK Tube Challenge – we hope you have a pleasant journey! 🚇 Tap in with Google Pay each day to earn digital station badges, and for a chance to win a Google Pixel 9 phone or Santander Cycles Day Passes. Find out more 👇 — TfL (@TfL) March 31, 2025 Suffragette: Monday 28, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 April, Thursday 1 and Friday 2 May, the 2303 train from Barking Riverside will terminate at Upper Holloway instead of Gospel Oak. Windrush: Monday 28, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 April and Thursday 1 May, from 2330 each evening, no service between New Cross Gate and West Croydon / Crystal Palace. Circle: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, no service between Edgware Road and Tower Hill (via Victoria). District: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, no service between Edgware Road / Embankment and Kensington (Olympia) / Wimbledon / Richmond / Ealing Broadway. DLR: Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Canning Town and Stratford International. Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Westferry / Poplar and Lewisham. Lioness: Saturday 3 May, after 2030, a reduced timetable will run between Watford Junction and Euston. Piccadilly: Saturday 3 May, from 0100 until 0700, no service between Hyde Park Corner and Acton Town. Waterloo and City: The service operates between 0600 and 0030, Monday to Friday only. There is no service on Saturdays, Sundays, or bank/public holidays. Bakerloo: Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Queens Park and Harrow & Wealdstone. Circle: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, no service between Edgware Road and Tower Hill (via Victoria). District: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, no service between Edgware Road / Embankment and Kensington (Olympia) / Wimbledon / Richmond / Ealing Broadway. DLR: Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Canning Town and Stratford International. Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Westferry / Poplar and Lewisham. Elizabeth Line: Sunday 4 May, from 0740, a reduced service operates between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead. This #PrioritySeatingWeek, we've launched new priority seating on our Elizabeth line trains 💺 💜 The new priority seat badge and moquette colours will improve the visibility of priority seating so customers can feel more empowered when travelling on our network. Have you… — TfL (@TfL) April 29, 2025 Sunday 4 May, between 0040 and 0740, no service between Paddington and Ealing Broadway, also affecting GWR services. Lioness: Sunday 4 May, no service between Euston and Watford Junction. Suffragette: Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Barking and Barking Riverside, use local bus routes EL1, EL2 and EL3. Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday 5 May, a reduced service operates between Gospel Oak and Barking. Waterloo & City: Service operates between 06:00 and 00:30, Monday to Friday only. There is no service on Saturdays, Sundays or bank/public holidays. Windrush: Sunday 4 May after 21:00 no service between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction, Crystal Palace, New Cross and West Croydon. Bakerloo: Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Queens Park and Harrow & Wealdstone. DLR: Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Canning Town and Stratford International. Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Westferry / Poplar and Lewisham. Elizabeth Line: Monday 5, Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 May, the 2217 Abbey Wood to Reading train will terminate at Maidenhead. Recommended Reading The unknown London Underground rule that could leave you with a hefty fine Posters to go up on the Elizabeth Line to cover up 'ghost' marks The unwritten rules of the London Underground you must know Lioness: Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Euston and Willesden Junction. Suffragette: Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Barking and Barking Riverside, use local bus routes EL1, EL2 and EL3. Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday 5 May, a reduced service operates between Gospel Oak and Barking. Trains will arrive at and depart from platform 1 at Barking. Waterloo & City: Service operates between 06:00 and 00:30, Monday to Friday only. There is no service on Saturdays, Sundays or bank/public holidays.
