London road closures will cause significant disruption for drivers this weekend, with the A40 Westway, the M25 and Waterloo Bridge all affected, alongside a central London march and a 10k running event in the Royal Docks.
The A40 Westway will shut westbound from 10pm on Friday, October 23 until 5am on Sunday, October 25, between the Westway Roundabout and the Marylebone Flyover. Signed diversions will be in place for drivers.
The closure forms part of ongoing work following a bus fire which resulted in lane restrictions on the busy route. Transport for London (TfL) said the work is part of a long-term project to keep the A40 safe and reliable for all users.
On the M25, the junction 15 anticlockwise carriageway will be closed where it crosses over the M4 from 8pm on Saturday, October 24 until 10am the following morning. A diversion route will operate to and from M4 junction 5.
The clockwise carriageway and all links between the M25 and M4 will remain open throughout. National Highways said the closure will allow engineers to prepare for replacing two bridge expansion joints in 2027.
Central London will also see disruption on Saturday, October 17, when a march sets off from Westminster Cathedral and finishes at the Brompton Oratory. The march runs from noon to 4pm, travelling via Francis Street, Vauxhall Bridge Road, Wilton Street, Belgrave Road and Eccleston Bridge, Buckingham Palace Road, Ebury Street, Belgrave Square, Chesham Place, Pont Street, Sloane Street, Knightsbridge and Brompton Road.
TfL has warned drivers to expect local traffic delays, with buses on diversion or stopping short of their usual destinations while the march passes.
Silverworks Island in the Royal Docks faces extensive road closures on Saturday for a 10k running event taking place from 3pm to 11pm. Connaught Bridge, Connaught Road, Festoon Way, Hartmann Road and Royal Albert Way will all be closed from 5pm.
The eastbound lane of North Woolwich Road between Burt Road and Mill Road will also shut from 5.30pm. Mill Road and Rayleigh Road are expected to reopen at 8.30pm, with all remaining closures lifted by 10.30pm.
Waterloo Bridge will be closed on Sunday, October 18 for filming between 6am and 11am. Bus routes 1, 59, 68, 76, 139, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341 and SL6 will be diverted during the closure.
Carthusian Street in the City of London will also be closed for filming on Sunday from 7am to 7pm, with traffic holds in place on Aldersgate Street between Beech Street and Fann Street.
From Monday, October 26, Oxford Street will become traffic-free between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. Buses will continue to serve the area, although some routes may change as a result.
Mobility scooters and emergency vehicles will have access to the street at all times, while servicing vehicles carrying out freight and loading will be able to use the traffic-free sections between midnight and 7am.
Weekend at a glance
- Saturday, October 17: Central London march (noon–4pm) causing delays and bus diversions; Silverworks Island 10k road closures from 5pm.
- Saturday, October 17 – Sunday, October 18: M25 junction 15 anticlockwise closed over the M4 (8pm Sat–10am Sun).
- Sunday, October 18: Waterloo Bridge closed for filming (6am–11am); Carthusian Street closed for filming (7am–7pm).
- Friday, October 23 – Sunday, October 25: A40 Westway westbound closed between Westway Roundabout and Marylebone Flyover (10pm Fri–5am Sun).
- Monday, October 26: Oxford Street becomes traffic-free between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.
Check before you travel
- Use the TfL Journey Planner or the TfL Go app for live bus and road updates.
- Check the National Highways website for the latest on the M25 closure and diversion route.
- If you are heading to the Royal Docks on Saturday evening, allow extra time and follow signed diversions around the 10k route.
- Drivers using Waterloo Bridge on Sunday morning should cross the Thames via Westminster Bridge or Blackfriars Bridge instead.
Advice for drivers
TfL advises all drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys this weekend. The combination of planned engineering work, filming closures and the central London march means several key routes will be affected at different times.
Those who can should consider travelling outside peak closure times, using public transport where possible, or choosing alternative river crossings and orbital routes to avoid the worst of the disruption.
