Travellers on the London Underground today are being warned to stay away from two stations at certain times as people flock to VE Day events.
The capital is pulling out all the stops to mark 80 years since Europe won victory over the Nazis at the end of the Second World War.
A military procession past some of London’s biggest landmarks promises to be the main event of the day, with thousands of people packing the streets to watch.
But that also means pressure on the Tube network – and Transport for London (TfL) has issued advice for people wishing to avoid the crowds.
It’s expected that Westminster station will be busiest between 9am and 11am, as spectators arrive to watch the procession leave Parliament Square after Big Ben chimes for midday.
TfL suggests passengers who don’t want to get caught up could travel to Waterloo or Embankment stations instead.
The parade will then head along Whitehall, past Downing Street and towards Trafalgar Square, before turning left along the Mall in the direction of Buckingham Palace.
Once that section of the day comes to an end, TfL says Green Park will be busy between 1pm and 3pm as people head for the nearest station to the royal residence.
Victoria and Bond Street stations might be a better option for a more comfortable journey, the public transport body suggests.
Around 1,300 members of the Armed Forces will be taking part in today’s procession, including representatives of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force.
The event will kick off with much-loved actor Timothy Spall reciting extracts from Winston Churchill’s stirring VE Day address, close to Churchill’s statue in Parliament Square.
When the procession reaches Buckingham Palace, the crowds will enjoy a flypast from the Red Arrows alongside 23 current and historic military aircraft.
Latest London news
- Huge fire engulfs two flats in east London block
- Chinese spies are ‘bugging London’s pubs and park benches,’ security sources say
- Inside the plans to revamp London Liverpool Street station
To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro’s London news hub.
Meanwhile, TfL itself will be marking the anniversary of the Second World War’s conclusion in Europe with its own sombre displays.
Statues representing the ‘Unknown Tommy’ and ‘Unknown Woman in War’ will be placed in five Underground stations with links to wartime history.
Baker Street and Tower Hill both contain war memorials; Charing Cross and Balham were hit by bombs; and Bethnal Green station was the site of the worst civilian disaster of the Second World War.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.