Developing story: We are following the East Ham police incident on High Street North — this page will be updated as more details emerge. Last updated on Monday 28 September.
Morning commuters in East Ham are facing disruption after a police incident closed the bus lane on High Street North, one of the main roads through the area.
The closure has been in place since late on Sunday night, and with several bus routes diverted around the scene, passengers are being urged to allow extra time for their journeys on Monday morning.
East Ham police incident: at a glance
- What: A police incident on High Street North, East Ham.
- Where: The bus lane along High Street North.
- When: Closed since late on Sunday night; disruption ongoing through Monday morning.
- Impact: Multiple bus routes diverted; delays expected around the morning rush.
- Advice: Allow extra time, check live bus arrivals and consider alternative routes.
Where exactly is the closure?
The closure affects the bus lane on High Street North, a key route running through the heart of East Ham in the London Borough of Newham. The road passes close to East Ham station, making it a well-used corridor for buses ferrying passengers to and from the Tube and the busy shopping streets nearby.
Because the lane is reserved for buses at peak times, shutting it has an outsized effect: services that would normally glide past queuing traffic are instead being funnelled into diversions along surrounding streets.
Which buses are affected?
A number of bus routes that would normally run along the lane are being diverted while this East Ham police incident continues. With no confirmed list of affected routes published yet, passengers are advised to check live arrival boards before setting off — journeys through East Ham are likely to take longer than usual this morning, and some stops may be missed out altogether.
Timeline: how the morning unfolded
- Late Sunday night: Police close the bus lane on High Street North following an incident.
- Monday 28 September, 6:21am: Live travel updates begin as the closure stretches into the morning rush hour.
- Monday morning: Diversions remain in place across several routes, with commuters told to allow extra time.
What commuters should do
- Allow extra time: Bus diversions will add minutes to journeys through East Ham, so set off earlier than usual.
- Check before you travel: Look at live bus arrival information and service status updates before leaving home.
- Consider the Tube: East Ham station is served by the District and Hammersmith & City lines, which may be a faster option this morning.
- Walk or cycle: For shorter journeys, travelling under your own steam could be quicker than waiting on a diverted bus.
- Avoid the area: If you can, steer clear of the immediate surroundings of High Street North until the incident clears.
Police yet to release details
Officers have not yet said what prompted the closure, and the incident remains ongoing. Anyone who was in the area late on Sunday night or in the early hours of Monday and saw anything unusual is urged to contact the police. As always, it is worth avoiding speculation on social media while officers carry out their work.
It is the latest in a string of transport headaches for Londoners. Bus passengers have also contended with buses diverted after the A2 crash at Old Kent Road, while road closures and bus diversions were in force across the capital over the weekend — and the £10m Hendon Way flyover works are set to bring disruption of their own this week.
We will keep following the East Ham police incident and update this page as soon as the bus lane reopens and services return to normal.
