You don’t ‘Wallaby’ late for the Haka so plan your journey ahead!

29 October 2015

As Rugby World Cup 2015 comes to an end, Transport for London (TfL) is advising customers using London's transport network to plan ahead around Stratford on Friday and Twickenham on Saturday.

Tens of thousands of rugby fans will descend on the Capital for a final feast of rugby action. Tomorrow evening (Friday 30 October) South Africa face Argentina for third place in Stratford. The Rugby World Cup 2015 Champions will be decided between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham on Saturday 31 October.

London is hosting a number of other events this weekend including U2 at The O2 Arena on Friday and the NFL at Wembley on Sunday, so TfL is advising customers to plan ahead, allow more time and if possible re-time or seek alternative routes for their journeys.

Steve Griffiths, Chief Operating Officer of London Underground, said: `We're at the end of six weeks of world-class rugby which has showcased the Capital across the world and brought more than a million fans to the city. Londoners are advised to plan ahead of this last weekend so they can continue to get around easily and ensure they make the most of this exciting finale to the tournament.'

Tube and rail services to and from Stratford are expected to be busy from 16:00 until 19:30 and from 21:40 until midnight tomorrow. Rugby fans are advised to get to Stratford early and use less crowded alternatives as the station is served by numerous rail lines. Public transport and roads around Twickenham will be much busier up to three hours before and two hours after the Rugby World Cup 2015 final kicks off on Saturday at 16:00.

Customers and road users not attending the matches are advised to, where possible, avoid these venues when games are taking place and plan their journeys at TfL.gov.uk/rugby-travel.

TfL, the boroughs and the tournament organisers, England Rugby 2015, have engaged extensively with residents, commuters and businesses in the venue areas to ensure they are aware of the tournament and any impact it may have on them.

The Rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world.

When Rugby World Cup 2015 is over, London will have hosted 17 matches across three venues - The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Wembley Stadium and Twickenham Stadium

The Fanzones are located in the following locations:

  • Richmond - Old Deer Park
  • Trafalgar Square will be open from the Semi Final through to the Final

TfL, the Rugby World Cup organisers, local boroughs and other transport partners have worked closely to minimise disruption.

Local boroughs and the Rugby World Cup organisers also committed to working with TfL to ensure that local residents and businesses, emergency services and urgent care professionals as well as regular customers and road users are clearly informed of any plans and available alternative routes.

Stratford is served by a numerous rail lines, for a less crowded route to Stratford from central London key stations spectators this week are advised to:

  • From Baker Street use the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan to Liverpool Street and change for TfL Rail services to Stratford
  • From Blackfriars use District line to West Ham and change for the DLR to Stratford
  • From Charing Cross take the Northern line to Waterloo and change for the Jubilee line to Stratford
  • From Euston walk to Euston Square use the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan to Liverpool Street and change for TfL Rail services to Stratford
  • From King's Cross St Pancras either take Southeaster High Speed or the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan to Liverpool Street and change for TfL Rail services to Stratford
  • From Liverpool Street use TfL Rail Services to Stratford
  • From London Bridge take the Jubilee line to Stratford
  • From Marylebone walk to Baker Street and use the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan to Liverpool Street and change for TfL Rail services to Stratford
  • From Victoria take the District line and change at Westminster for the Jubilee line to Stratford
  • From Waterloo take the Jubilee line to Stratford
  • London Overground services also serve Stratford directly. Avoid Highbury & Islington interchange on 23 September due to football match at White Hart Lane