All you need to know about the London Marathon 2026 registration before ballot opens

The 2025 London marathon is fast approaching, but those preparing for this year’s race may also be looking ahead to 2026.

The course, which sets off from Blackheath and took runners past Cutty Sark in Greenwich, Canary Wharf, The Shard and Tower Bridge, finished up at St James’s Park.

More than 1.25million people have completed the marathon since its start in 1981, with thousands signing up every year, and together runners have raised more than £1billion.

And 2026 will likely be no different when the ballot for next year’s race opens on Friday.

How do I sign up for the London Marathon 2026?

the 2026 London Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 26 next year.

Prospective marathon runners can sign up by entering a public ballot, with winners drawn at random.

When does the ballot open?

The ballot for the 2026 London Marathon opens on Friday, April 25, and will stay open for a week until Friday, May 2.

How much does it cost?

If you are a UK resident, and choose to donate your entry fee to support the work of the London Marathon Foundation during the ballot process if your entry is unsuccessful, your entry free is reduced from £79.99 to £49.99.

If you get offered a place after being successful, if you live in the UK and didn’t opt to donate your entry fee when applying, you’ll need to pay the full entry fee of £79.99. 

What happens if I don’t get a place in the first ballot?

If you don’t get a place in the main ballot, not all hope is lost.

You will automatically be entered into a second ballot, and you will at least double your chance of getting a place through that second draw. 

If you are successful in either the first or second ballot, your entry is prepaid and confirmed.

How do I know if I’m in the ballot?

First of all, you’ll receive a confirmation email when you apply, as well as a payment receipt if you donate your entry fee.

Organisers of the marathon recommend checking your junk folder if you don’t see a confirmation email soon after applying.

The results of the 2026 London Marathon ballot will be emailed to all entrants in July 2025 – the exact date has not been confirmed.

What if I’m unsuccessful in both?

If you are unsuccessful you will receive a ‘premium winter running top’ which retails at £60, and the money you entered will be donated to the London Marathon Foundation.

Top-rated marathons in the UK if you don’t get in to London

If you aren’t lucky enough to be able to race in London next year, never fearas there are plenty of other options across the UK.

From Manchester Marathon, billed as the flattest and most friendly, to the Great Welsh Marathon offering stunning views of the Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park, there’s bound to be another option for you.

The Brighton Marathon is held a few weeks before the London Marathon, or you could head to Blackpool and take in all of the seaside resort’s tourist spots en route.

Edinburgh Marathon is also known for its super-flat route, making it a great option for beginners, or if you want more of a challenge the multi-terrain New Forest Marathon takes you through the heart of the stunning national park.

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Map reveals London hotspots feared to have been bugged by Chinese spies

Londoners have been warned Chinese spies may be listening in to them across the centre of the city.

Parks benches, pubs and hotels have all been tipped to be Beijing’s targets, with security insiders warning MPs and other officials to be careful about what they talk about.

Foliage and benches in St James’s Park, the Red Lion pub in Westminster and luxury hotels the Corinthia and Raffles have all been said to be hotspots for espionage, security sources told the Mail on Sunday.

One source said: ‘We have been told the Chinese literally have the park bugged, with devices in the bushes and under park benches.’

They claimed that this was seen as worthwhile because civil servants and researchers often meet in the park over their lunch break.

The Red Lion pub, which is a popular spot for parliamentary staffers, has also been declared unsafe because of ‘Chinese agents’.

Last week, concerns were raised about plans for a new Chinese ‘super-embassy’ at the former Royal Mint building in Tower Hamlets.

Documents submitted as part of the planning application revealed ‘two suites of anonymous unlabelled basement rooms and a tunnel’.

Their actual purpose has been redacted for ‘security reasons’, and security expert Will Geddes told Metro that the unnamed rooms ‘could be used for anything’, such as ‘detentions, planning, and even weaponry’.

Last weekend, MPs approved government plans to take control of British Steel’s blast furnaces in Scunthorpe after negotiations with their Chinese owners, Jingye, appeared to break down.

The company had stopped buying enough raw materials to keep the blast furnaces going, with business secretary Jonathan Reynolds accusing them of failing to negotiate ‘in good faith’.

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Huge UK festival under threat over environmental concerns as campaigners raise £31,000

Beloved South London festival Mighty Hoopla’s future could be uncertain after environmental campaigners threatened to take legal action against Lambeth Council over Brockwell Park’s live events.

They have raised concerns about the impact these festivals have on the green space, which has been open for public use since 1892.

The Brixton park, also home to Brockwell Lido and a famous view of the city, hosts annual music festivals annually across two consecutive weekends, including London favourite Mighty Hoopla, which has boasted pop headliners over the years such as Sugababes, Kelis, and Steps.

The LGBTQ+ friendly festival is due to take place on the first weekend of June 2025, with headliners confirmed as Ciara, Jade, Kesha, and Loreen.

Brockwell Live – who organise the summer series of festivals in the London park – runs hosts a Bank Holiday Weekender, which sees festivals Wide Awake, Field Day, Cross The Tracks, and City Splash take place on the first May weekend, and Mighty Hoopla the following weekend.

The Lambeth Country Show – produced by Brockwell Live in partnership with Lambeth Council – takes place on the third weekend in the series.

However, a Crowdjustice page has been set up with the aim of limiting the live events as ecological concerns mount.

On April 9 the campaigners sent Lambeth Council a pre-action letter challenging its decision to grant the area a certificate which allows commercial events to take place in the park without planning permission.

The local residents who have formed the group, called Protect Brockwell Park, intend to begin a legal challenge against the council over its live events policy.

They say the events are responsible for ‘damaging our trees, disturbing wildlife, compacting the soil, and fencing off huge areas of the park for weeks at a time’.

Continuing, the Crowdjustice page – having now raised over £31,000 at the time of writing to ‘cover legal costs’ – said: ‘We have repeatedly raised our concerns with Lambeth Council, but our voices have fallen on deaf ears.

‘Lambeth has ignored petitions that have garnered thousands of signatures, local residents’ distress, and the adverse ecological impact on the park over the years.’

They aim to stop live events without ‘full public consultations’, introduce evidence-based impact assessments of these events, and they also demand an evaluation of the long-term impact these events have on the park, as well as the introduction of Glastonbury-style fallow years to give the ground a rest.

‘Permanent damage’ to the grasslands has already occurred, they say, from HGVs carrying heavy equipment, as well as a footfall of 180,000 people in a week’s window, and the running of ‘polluting’ generators.

‘Still embedded with rubbish and suffering from flooding as water can’t drain freely through compacted ground,’ the group says, adding: ‘Trees are dying as heavy equipment has piled up in root protection zones.

Mighty Hoopla was almost rained off in 2024

While last year’s festival got more than just a bit muddy, fans still flocked to Brixton for Nelly Furtado, B*witched, Jessie Ware, Rita Ora and Bambie Thug.

There were fears the festival would be cancelled when photos taken at Brockwell Park’s City Splash Festival the week before resembled a mud bath.

But Mighty Hoopla announced that in the conditions the festival had passed its health and safety check and it would be going ahead as planned.

‘Since 2021, 32 protected species have disappeared, with noise and light pollution disrupting key habitats and impacting protected bats,’ the group continued.

The group claimed profit is being prioritised over the health of the park, and those in the local community who use it.

‘If we do not stop these events, the Park won’t recover, and nor will our community,’ they said.

In response, a Lambeth Council spokesperson told Metro: ‘The council has received a pre-action protocol letter in relation to a judicial review claim for Brockwell Park, and are currently considering this.’

On the specific concerns about the events, spokesperson said: ‘Brockwell Park is hugely valued by the council and our communities. 

‘The council invests £500,000 a year in maintaining Brockwell Park which has won numerous awards including a Green Flag given by Keep Britain Tidy in line with the international standard for high quality parks and green spaces, as well as several London in Bloom awards.

‘Events in Brockwell Park run for a short period before summer and generate significant cultural opportunities and entertainment for younger people across the borough. Events also support businesses in the area, the majority of which are small businesses who experience increases in footfall during the events programme. 

‘This boosts our local economy and provides jobs and income for residents, especially at a time when high streets and small traders have struggled, and when pubs are closing in record numbers.’

The council went on to explain how the festivals are positive for younger people and help fund the free Lambeth Country Show, adding that they ‘work hard’ to engage local people.

‘Running the Lambeth Country Show in partnership with Brockwell Live saved the council £700,000 last year from the cost of putting on, as well as securing more than £150,000 for park investment and local community projects,’ the council said.

‘Further the events run by Brockwell Live in the lead up to the Country Show are really valued within our LGBTQ+ community – which is the biggest in London – really getting behind the Mighty Hoopla for example. When heavy rain last year put the Mighty Hoopla in question, we were heavily lobbied to make sure it went ahead.

‘Similarly, City Splash celebrating Caribbean and African music and culture is much loved by our Black communities and beyond.’

Adding that they are ‘working hard’ to minimise disruption the events have on locals, Lambeth Council said they have a 24-hour help line and staff in the streets for the events to cater for any concerns from local people.

‘We have also moved the date of events in Brockwell Park to earlier in the year, so the entire park is available throughout the school summer holidays,’ they added.

‘Any impacts from the events on the park are fixed with our event partner. We are committed to addressing all potential issues promptly and effectively, whilst ensuring Lambeth’s residents continue to have access to a diverse and meaningful range of events.’

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Priced out of the area of your dreams? Try these more affordable postcodes next door

Dreaming of life in leafy Crouch End, buzzy Peckham or riverside Chiswick, but your budget says otherwise? You’re not alone.

With property prices sky high in London’s most sought after spots, getting on the ladder in your ideal postcode can feel impossible.

But don’t give up just yet. Just beyond those glossy neighbourhoods are up and coming areas that share a lot of the same charm, and at a fraction of the cost. Whether it’s artisan coffee, independent shops, green spaces or great transport links you’re after, there’s often a more affordable alternative that ticks the same boxes.

These neighbourhoods offer serious lifestyle perks without the premium price tag. And thanks to shared ownership schemes, getting a foot on the property ladder is more doable than you might think.

So if you’re feeling priced out of your dream area, it’s time to take a look next door. Here are some of the best value postcode swaps worth knowing about.

If not Walthamstow… try Tottenham Hale

Previously an industrial wasteland, Tottenham Hale is separated from Walthamstow by Walthamstow Wetlands, the country’s largest urban nature reserve.

Tottenham Hale shares the same fiercely independent streak as Walthamstow and its numerous microbreweries are more than a match for those on the latter’s Blackhorse beer mile. And with an 11-minute Tube ride to King’s Cross, the commute’s faster from here.

Using shared ownership, you can bag a home at Millstream Tower, N17, from £90,625 for 25% of £362,500.

These are one and two-bedroom apartments in a sleek tower a stone’s throw from Tottenham Hale station. All have underfloor heating, some incorporate a balcony or terrace, and a communal garden is on the seventh floor.

Find out more information at Newlon Living.

If not Peckham… try South Bermondsey

This patch of south-east London is destined for great things as regeneration sweeps across it. A new Overground station is being built and Millwall FC’s stadium, The Den, is being redeveloped. Plans include a new sports complex and a public square with a community café, plus shops and creative spaces to give it a Peckham-like buzz.

The first of four Southwark Living developments in and around the area, Argo House, SE15, launches this year and comprises one, two and three-bedroom flats with big balconies. They’re ready to move into, and residents will soon have access to rooftop gardens. From £110,000 for a 
30% share of £370,000.

Find out more information at Southern Housing New Homes

If not Crouch End… try Harringay

Just like Crouch End, which is centred on The Broadway, Harringay has a lively high street of its own and some roads share the same postcode.

The traditional Turkish grocers, patisseries, cafés and restaurants along Green Lanes have been joined by artisan coffee shops and late-night bars, so there’s something here for absolutely everyone.

It scores highly for green spaces and schools, and there’s a wider choice of public transport.

L&Q has a range of studio, one and two-bedroom flats at Alexandra Gate N8, a 20-minute walk from Crouch End Broadway and ten minutes from Alexandra Park.

Each is pet-friendly, move-in ready and has a terrace or balcony, From £91,250 for 25% of £365,000.

Find out more information at L&Q Homes.

If not Chiswick… try Brentford

From boutiques and brunch spots to festivals and fine dining, Chiswick’s USP is the sheer variety of things to do. Brentford offers more of the same but on a smaller scale, and has the bonus of being nearer Kew Gardens. It’s also on the river, and Chiswick High Road and Strand on the Green’s atmospheric pubs are in walking distance.

Some of the one, two and three-bedroom apartments at Peabody’s KEWB, on the Brentford/Chiswick border in TW8, will enjoy views towards Kew Gardens. They are due 
to hit the market later in the spring 
and should be ready for buyers to move in this autumn, with prices to be announced.

Find out more information at Peabody New Homes.

If not Stoke Newington… try Finsbury Park

Although it can’t quite compete with Stokey in terms of hipster hangouts, Finsbury Park certainly gives it a run for its money when it comes to community spirit and open spaces.

A friendly and diverse neighbourhood, it boasts a similar Victorian Green Flag park, a nature reserve at Woodberry Wetlands and sailing, canoeing and open water swimming on the West Reservoir Centre.

Manor House’s Zone 2 station and the nature reserve are under five minutes’ walk from Gadwall Quarter in N4, a collection of one and two-bedroom flats, part of the large-scale Woodberry Down development. All include private outside space. From £118,750 for 25% of £475,000.

Find out more information at NHG Homes.

If not Canary Wharf… try North Woolwich

The new buildings aren’t as high and the facilities not as plentiful, but parts of North Woolwich look and feel like Canary Wharf before it was fully developed – and the average flat costs £180,000 less.

On the eastern edge of Royal Docks, this waterside district is served by the DLR and super-convenient for London City Airport, the newly opened Silvertown Tunnel and the Woolwich Ferry, and you can walk under the Thames into Greenwich.

Put your name on the mailing list now and you could be one of the first people to move into soon-to-launch Stories Wharf in E16.

These one, two and three-bedroom flats come with outside space, communal terraces and river views, with prices yet to be announced.

Find out more information at Hyde New Homes.

If not Islington… try City Road

It has been said that you could eat out on Islington’s Upper Street every day for a year without going to the same place twice and while City Road can’t match such claims, it is within walking distance.

Shoreditch and Hoxton are also nearby and it’s one 
of the very few locations in Zone 1 where you can find a shared ownership home.

Only studio flats – all with underfloor heating and balconies – are left at City Angel, a central scheme within Berkeley’s 250 City Road development in EC1. The luxurious on-site amenities include a gym, lounge, games room, yoga studio, a screening/karaoke room, pool and spa. From £115,000 for 25% of £460,000.

Find out more information at: Peabody New Homes.

'Shared ownership meant I was able to buy in Zone 1'

After 15 years renting in west London with unpredictable and sometimes long commutes, Osman Siddiqui is thrilled to have found the perfect home at City Angel, on the edge of Islington.

Early in 2023 Osman, 40, a digital designer started his current job in Liverpool Street and was keen to move much closer to work. Using money he’d saved over ten years and help from his family, he put down a 30% deposit on a one-bedroom flat, which he moved into in April last year.

His journey to home ownership began with a conversation with a friend. ‘The commute was killing me but I never even considered buying in London before – it just didn’t seem feasible with how expensive it is,’ he says.

‘But when my friend told me about his experience with shared ownership in Elephant & Castle, I decided to do my research. Initially, I was sceptical. I thought it was going to be tiny, but I was wrong. It’s twice the size of my old place and the facilities are incredible.’
The location also satisfies Osman’s love of art. ‘Farringdon,
a hub of creativity, is filled with design studios and galleries,’ he says. ‘I love exploring them in my spare time. Living here means I have a ten-minute commute to the office and easy access to the places that truly inspire me.

‘Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine owning such an incredible property in such a perfect location, but here I am. Discovering shared ownership was honestly life-changing.’

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I’m a Pope lookalike who’s never actually been booked as the Pope

A rent-a-Pope lookalike who’s never been booked as the Pope and looks more like Jim Bowen than the Pope says it might not be too long until he hangs up his own Pope’s cassock.

Brian Holdom has worked as a lookalike for 20 years, bringing Henry VIII, Blofeld from James Bond, and Winston Churchill to events, parties, weddings and more.

The 78-year-old worked in sales and marketing before turning his hand to the lookalike industry, after a friend told him he could make money out of his more than passing resemblance to actor Donald Pleasence.

Brian got fed up of being approached for autographs over the years, and seeing people get annoyed when he revealed he was not in fact the actor who starred in You Only Live Twice.

So he decided to create his own Blofeld character and turned his mistaken identity into a globetrotting career.

Brian was starring as a Pope in a play at his local theatre about 12 years ago when one of his fellow cast members told him he looked a bit like Pope Francis, who became head of the Catholic Church in 2013 and died on Easter Monday aged 88.

He decided to add the Pope to his repertoire and popped some pictures onto his website – but Brian, from Croydon in south London, tells Metro he’s never actually been hired to play the pontiff.

‘I performed in a local play, and people were saying at the time when I got the costume on, people were reacting differently around me,’ he said.

‘People were saying “you do realise you do actually look like the current Pope”, so because I do the other characters I thought I’ll add it to my website as a bit of fun.

‘I’ve never actually performed as the Pope as a lookalike though.

‘I’ve had several enquiries over the years but for whatever reason I’ve never been able to take them up on it.

‘There hasn’t been much call for the Pope at corporate events and parties, which is what I do the most, the enquiries for the Pope were usually for long shots for films and documentaries.’

This is the first time one of Brian’s lookalike subjects has passed away during his career.

His other real-life subjects, Henry VIII and Winston Churchill, died a very long time before he started working as a lookalike, and the characters he plays, Blofeld from James Bond and The Penguin from Batman, are timeless.

Brian hasn’t decided yet whether he will stop offering his services as a Pope lookalike now that Pope Francis has passed away, but seeing as he’s never had a paid job as the Pope, his death won’t have an impact on his business.

‘My main characters which get the most bookings are Blofer, Churchill and Henry VIII in that order,’ he explained.

‘The most memorable Blofeld was played by Donald Pleasence who died several years ago, and he’s fictional which immortalised him.

‘I was only 19 years old when Churchill died, so I wasn’t playing the character then.

‘But as I get older and because I’ve been doing Blofeld for so long I was getting a bit bored of him.

‘I have much more fun as Churchill, he’s a much warmer character and has great appeal, and the Pope was a nice chap.’

Brian says he’s considering when to hang up his cassock and other costumes, and is waiting for his body to tell him when it’s time to pack it in.

‘The reason I still do it is it’s so much fun. I wouldn’t have been able to go to so many places and events in the normal run of life,’ he explained.

‘I’ve been over the world, across America and Europe, it’s just remarkable.

‘Working as a sales director of a company I look back at the meetings and presentations and they were very theatrical in their own way, so I think this was in me looking to get out.’

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7 freebies 2025 London Marathon runners can claim this weekend, from Lush to TfL

On your marks, set, go. On Sunday, April 27, more than 56,000 runners are expected to cross the finish line of the world-famous London Marathon.

But before you lace up your trainers for the big day, there’ll no doubt be hours’ worth of planning dedicated to when you’ll be fuelling yourself, where you’ll be meeting friends and family, and what you’ll be eating afterwards.

And while you’ll likely be buoyed by your sense of achievement once you’ve crossed the finish line, it’s also worth seeking out a freebie or two. Come on, you’ve earned it.

Luckily, countless brands will be coming through for London Marathon runners this weekend – and there’s everything from bath bombs to pasta and even free transport on offer.

Pasta for carb loading at Pastaio Soho

Carb loading is always essential the night before a race, and runners of the London Marathon are being offered free pasta at one iconic spot in Soho to help them prepare for those 26.2 miles.

On Saturday, April 26, Puresport will be giving 50 Marathon runners at Pastaio Soho a carby meal completely free of charge. That’s right: it won’t cost you a penne.

You’ll just need to turn up between 3.35pm and 5.45pm for an early dinner – but be sure to sign up via Puresport’s Instagram page first to secure your place.

Pizza at Franco Manca

Pizza chain Franco Manca has got all bases covered for those running the London, Leeds and Exeter Marathons (the latter two are taking place on May 11).

Simply show your 2025 finisher medal and you’ll be gifted with a gorgeous sourdough pizza, completely free.

You needn’t claim it on the day either, as it’s also valid on Monday, April 27. There’s no comfort quite like carbs, right?

Bubbly goodness at Lush

It’s not just free food on the cards.

Lush is fully embracing World Bath Bomb Day (which falls on the same day as the London Marathon), as it’ll be giving runners two products to get lathered up with after those 26.2 miles.

The Cold Water Soother Epsom salt cube and the After magnesium solid massage oil bar will be on offer for medal-holders across Lush’s stores in Covent Garden, Paddington, Waterloo, and Victoria.

You’ll have a few days to claim your soapy goods too, as the offer will be in place between Sunday, April 27 and Wednesday, April 30.

Free TfL travel

To get around London for free on the bus, underground, overground or DLR on race day, show your bib, medal, or officials pass to a member of TfL staff.

After all, you won’t want to do any more steps once you’ve crossed that finish line.

The service will run until 6.30pm on Sunday throughout the capital.

A burger and a drink at Bill’s

Did you know that a low-alcoholic beer is actually a very good way to replenish your salts after a long run?

This Marathon weekend, Bill’s is partnering with Coke, Peroni, Lucky Saint and Aperol Spritz to gift both a free burger and a drink to those who’ve crossed the finish line.

Simply show your medal (or your volunteer pass) at Bill’s in London Bridge, Covent Garden, Greenwich, Kingston, Richmond, Wimbledon, Baker Street, Victoria, or Soho.

Recovery yoga with Live Yoga Teacher

After pushing your body that hard, a gentle three-day yoga course is exactly what you need.

Live Yoga Teacher will be offering three livestream recovery yoga classes. Yoga Teacher for Runners, Yanar Alkayat, has run six marathons herself – and will be hosting sessions on April 28, April 29, and April 30.

To claim your spot, fill in the form on the website and provide a snap of you either at the finish line or your Jersey number.

A swim at Brockwell Lido or Park Road Leisure

The last thing you might want to do after completing 26.2 miles is to think about moving your body even more – but a swim can do absolute bits for your recovery, particularly muscle soreness.

With this ethos in mind, Fusion Lifestyle is offering London Marathon runners a free swim at either Brockwell Lido (in Brixton) or Park Road Leisure (in Crouch End).

All you’ll need to do is show your race confirmation information – and if you fancy it, you can claim a pre-marathon swim instead, as the offer is running from now until Sunday, May 4.

If you’re lucky enough to be a South Londoner, you’ll also be granted access to the brand-new outdoor saunas, too.

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Notting Hill Carnival ‘at risk of a Hillsborough-scale tragedy’

Notting Hill Carnival is at risk of a ‘mass casualty event’ like the Hillsborough disaster, the Mayor of London has been warned.

The London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee said there had been a number of worrying incidents around crowd density, with fears officers will be unable to respond to emergencies.

Around 2 million people attend the festival every year, which celebrates Caribbean heritage.

But the Metropolitan Police has consistently raised concerns about the festival which takes place every August bank holiday weekend.

It comes after two people, including a mum-of-one, were killed at last year’s event.

Cher Maximen was stabbed to death in front of her daughter at the carnival’s family day.

Chef Mussie Imnetu was found unconscious outside of a restaurant in Queensway, and was pronounced dead in hospital.

‘I’ve seen buggies being lifted into the air’

Some carnival-goers agree that something needs to change.

Lauren Daisy-Jones, who runs Luminosity Glitter which works at the event, said last year was the first time in 18 years she decided not to go.

She told Metro: ‘I love Notting Hill Carnival, I have even set up my business around on it, but I didn’t go last year due to overcrowding.

‘I went the year before, and parts of the route were extremely bottle-necked. I saw children at the centre of crushes and buggies being lifted over the crowds.

‘I reached one of the bottle necks in my costume and suddenly realised I was very unsafe. I left early.’

‘We are sat waiting for a tragic accident’

Susan Hall, chair of the committee, told the assembly: ‘We cannot stand by and wait for a tragic incident to happen, action must be taken.

‘Two people tragically lost their lives at last year’s event due to violent crime, and it is absolutely essential that the Met is on hand to carry out its duties, and not fill in for a lack of stewarding from the organisers.’

Last year, Met commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, said: ‘Even though there are crime risks, we are more worried about the crowd risks.

‘We try to reduce the risk of a Hillsborough-type [disaster] but we’re mitigating something that is unsatisfactory.’

Notting Hill Carnival organisers said they use a number of experts to help run the event, and had 3,300 stewards on duty last year.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to commission a review into crowd safety at the event

Giving evidence to the committee in September 2024, the Met’s Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: ‘While we acknowledge the crime often gets the headlines, the thing that worries me most is the crowd density and the potential for a mass casualty event.’

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Passengers caught in ‘ridiculous’ Elizabeth line delays after works finish late

Commuters face travel mayhem on part of the London Underground this morning after planned works didn’t finish on time.

The first rush hour after the bank holiday weekend is off to a sticky start for those travelling on the Elizabeth line this morning.

The line has severe delays between Heathrow Terminals T4 and T5 and Paddington, and Reading and Abbey Wood due to the late finish of Network Rail engineering works.

The rest of the line is experiencing minor delays.

A commuter told Metro he arrived late at the office today because of the delays.

He said the issues mean ‘everything is now delayed and I’ve had a rushed and stressful morning.’

Another passenger, who spends three hours commuting within London each day, said he was forced to take a different route to work on his lengthy commute from West Drayton to Greenwich this morning because of the Elizabeth line issues.

He told Metro: ‘Public transport in the outer boroughs is a joke. If it’s not the trains giving me grief it’s the buses. I despair on an almost daily basis.’

One frustrated passenger took to X after the disruption: ‘First day back to work after a bank holiday so naturally the Elizabeth line is up the spout.’

Another commuter accused the line of having disruptions ‘every other week.’

‘Can’t they lower their expectations or something because this is ridiculous,’ they said.

When will Elizabeth line service resume to normal?

A TfL spokesperson said: ‘We apologise to our customers for disruption on the Elizabeth line this morning due to the late finishing of engineering works by Network Rail.

‘We currently have severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow/Reading with a good service on the rest of the line.

‘Customers should check before they travel and allow a little extra time to complete their journeys.

‘We anticipate a good service will be resumed by 11:30.’

Network Rail said it had to replace three sets of points in the Acton area, which overran until around 8.20am.

A spokesperson told Metro: ‘We’re really sorry for the disruption to passengers this morning, after work to replace a busy railway junction took longer than expected.

‘Trains are returning to normal but we encourage passengers for Paddington to check before they travel.’

Today’s commute is also facing trouble elsewhere on the Tube network.

The Northern line was previously suspended between Kennington and Camden Town. This has since been downgraded to minor delays.

Meanwhile, the Weaver Overground line is out of action between Enfield Town and Hackney Downs, and Cheshunt and Hackney Downs.

Network Rail engineers are on site fixing a fault with the overhead power lines.

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