Here is your weekly commercial drivers’ travel update, which sets out changes and events that could affect your planned operations.

Road updates

Low Emission Zone

New emissions and safety requirements are now in force for certain heavy vehicles operating within Greater London: 

• The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards for HGVs/lorries, vans and other specialist heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW), as well as buses, minibuses and coaches over 5 tonnes GVW, has changed from Euro IV to Euro VI. These vehicles now need to meet the Euro VI emission standard if driving within Greater London, or you need to pay a daily charge. Check if your vehicle meets the new LEZ standards and find out more information
• The new Direct Vision Standard requires HGVs over 12 tonnes GVW to hold a Safety Permit to operate in Greater London. To qualify for a permit, vehicles must meet a minimum one-star rating for visibility from within the cab, or fit ‘safe system measures’. Check your vehicle’s star rating and apply for an HGV Safety Permit

Rotherhithe Tunnel – Drivers of prohibited vehicles could now receive a fine for each journey through Rotherhithe Tunnel. Vehicles more than two metres (6’6″) wide, two metres high or goods vehicles that weigh more than two tonnes (maximum gross weight) are not permitted. This is to ensure safety and reduce risk of collisions. Please visit our Rotherhithe Tunnel restrictions webpage to learn more.

M25 – Until Friday 20 December, the M25 is closed anti-clockwise between Junction 28 (A12) and Junction 27 (M11) from 22:00 until 05:00 each night. This is due to Highways England maintenance. Traffic is diverted via A12, A406 and M11. 

Chiswick – From today, Thursday 12 December, we will be preparing for the construction of Cycleway 9 at the junction of Kew Bridge, the A205 Chiswick High Road, and the A315 Kew Bridge Road. Main works will be completed from Sunday 22 December 2019 to late Autumn 2020.  Please plan ahead and leave more time for your journey. If possible, consider re-timing local delivery and servicing trips to outside peak periods. Visit our Cycleway 9 travel advice page for updates.  

Twickenham Rugby Stadium – From 10:30 until 19:30 tonight, Thursday 12 December, Twickenham Rugby Stadium will be hosting the Varsity rugby match. Large crowds and increased traffic levels are expected before and after the match. Roads likely to be affected are the A316 Chertsey Road, and all roads leading to Twickenham Stadium and around the stadium. London Road, Whitton Road and Rugby Road will be closed before and after the game to help with crowd control. Diversions will be implemented in the Twickenham area.

Holloway Road – From 08:00 until 18:00 on Saturday 14 December, Holloway Road will have a contra flow in place at the junction of Landseer Road. Left and right turns into Landseer Road will be banned. This is due to Thames Water works.

Dalston – From 07:00 on Monday 16 until 18:00 on Thursday 19 December, Kingsland High Street will have lane restrictions southbound approaching the junction of Dalston Lane. This is due to Cadent Gas works. 

Seven Sisters – From 08:00 on Monday 16 until 16:30 on Thursday 19 December, Seven Sisters Road will have two lanes closed eastbound between Salterton Road and Axminster Road. This is for utility works. 

Borough – From 08:00 on Monday 16 until 16:00 on Thursday 19 December, Marshalsea Road will have lane closures at the junction of Borough High Street. This is due to Southern Gas network works. 

Camden – From 10:00 on Monday 16 until 15:00 on Tuesday 17 December, Camden Road will have a northbound lane closure at the junction of Bayham Street. This is due to Virgin Media works.

Rotherhithe Tunnel – Between 09:00 and 16:00 on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 December, the Rotherhithe Tunnel and the Northern approach to the tunnel will be closed to allow the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to undertake urgent works on a number of trees.

Tunnel closures

• Limehouse Link Tunnel will be closed in both directions from 22:00 tonight, Thursday 12 December, until 06:00 tomorrow morning
• A406 Fore Street Tunnel will be closed in both directions from 22:00 tonight, Thursday 12 December, until 05:00 tomorrow morning
• A12 George Green Tunnel will be closed eastbound from 22:00 tomorrow, Friday 13 December, until 05:00 the following morning
• Blackwall Tunnel will be closed southbound from 01:00 until 08:00 on Sunday 15 December
• A101 Rotherhithe Tunnel will be closed in both directions from 22:00 on Monday 16 December until 05:00 the following morning

See the latest status updates on road travel