London Travel Chaos as Millions Descend on Notting Hill Carnival
Travel disruption is causing headaches across the capital today as huge crowds head to the iconic Notting Hill Carnival for its final day.
Authorities warn that millions of visitors are expected, making this one of the busiest days in London’s travel calendar.The carnival has already seen a dramatic start, with reports of 140 arrests on day one highlighting the scale of the festivities.
Ladbroke Grove remains closed all day. Meanwhile, stations including Latimer Road, Notting Hill Gate, Westbourne Park, Holland Park, and Queensway will operate an exit-only service from 11:00am until 6:00pm.
The main parade kicks off at 10:30am, with sound systems powering up at midday. Floats, live music, and street stalls are scheduled to keep the party going until 8:00pm.
Meanwhile, travellers planning to venture further afield face additional disruptions. Industrial action has halted all Cross Country train services today between Reading, Stansted Airport, Birmingham, and Cambridge.
Engineering work is also causing knock-on delays. Trains arriving at or departing from major hubs, including Kings Cross and London Euston, may run late, be reduced, or have amended schedules until the end of the day. Stations at Hounslow and Lewisham are similarly affected.
London travel news LIVE: Latest Tube and train updates as huge crowds head to Notting Hill Carnival: https://t.co/TnJWVFphGR #London #Transport #TFL #LondonNews
— MyTransit London (@MyTransitLondon) August 25, 2025
On the Tube, the Waterloo and City line is closed completely, while the Mildmay line is operating a reduced service, impacting commuters travelling between Willesden Junction, Clapham Junction, Camden Road, Stratford, and Richmond.
Central line users face partial suspension. “A signal failure at West Ruislip means there is no service between this station and Northolt. While the failure is being fixed, tickets will be accepted on London buses. There is good service on the rest of the line.”
Elsewhere, rail passengers travelling between London and the Midlands are not having it easy.
“Disruption is expected until 11.00am on trains between Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone following a line closure caused by a broken down train at Tyseley. Although lines have reopened, cancellations or delays of up to 35 minutes are expected as trains return to normal.”
City authorities are urging visitors to plan ahead, leave extra time for journeys, and consider alternative routes. Expect busy streets, full buses, and limited train options throughout the day.
For those heading to the carnival Notting Hill, patience is key. Street parades, music, and vibrant floats promise a celebration like no other—but getting there may take longer than expected.
