It’s gonna be one hell of a party

Millions of people – from the UK and abroad – will be on the move over the next few days to be in position to join in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee bank holiday celebrations in London.

Central London will be very busy throughout the weekend and everyone intending to be in central London should use public transport, plan their journeys ahead and check before they travel

Heathrow expects to handle 2.9 million passengers in the next two weeks, with 780,000 overseas travellers due to arrive at the west London airport until Tuesday.

UK travel organisation Abta has forecast that as many six million Britons will be taking a holiday abroad or in the UK over the period June 2-5.

The Highways Agency has suspended roadworks on some English motorways and A roads, although some works will stay in place for safety reasons.

Unlike most weekends, London Underground will be running near normal services over the bank holiday weekend, with only the Waterloo & City line not operating and with part-suspensions on the London Overground line.

Many main line train companies that run services to and from London will be providing additional trains or carriages at times to cope with those visiting the capital for Jubilee events.

Transport company National Express said more than 30,000 people would be travelling to London on its coaches over the weekend. The company added that the busiest departure points for trips to the capital were Bournemouth, Bristol and Birmingham.

Transport for London advised motorists to avoid central London for all but essential journeys over the weekend.

London’s Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said: “Central London will be very busy throughout the weekend and everyone intending to be in central London should use public transport, plan their journeys ahead and check before they travel.

“Road closures and bus diversions will mean that some people have to travel in different ways – particularly on Sunday. Due to a number of road and bridge closures, motorists are advised particularly to avoid central London for all but essential journeys on that day.”

What’s on for the Jubilee

The Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend will offer the nation the chance to celebrate the Queen’s 60-year reign at events in the capital and across the country. Here is a timeline of events from June 2-5 with times:

Saturday
Epsom Derby, horserace starts 4 p.m.

Sunday
Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant’s 1,000-strong flo­tilla sets off from Battersea Bridge at 2.30p.m. and is expected to take three hours to travel to Tower Bridge in the City. The Big Lunch, events held across the country all day.

Monday
Diamond Jubilee Concert, featuring Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney and others, begins outside Buckingham Palace at 7.30 p.m.

Diamond Jubilee Beacons are lit from 10 p.m. across the country and Commonwealth, with the national beacon lit by the Queen from the concert stage at 10.30 p.m.

Tuesday
St Paul’s Cathedral service of thanksgiving begins at 10.30 a.m., to be followed by receptions in the City and lunch at Westminster Hall for senior royals.

Carriage procession to the palace from 2.15p.m, followed by the royals gathering on the royal residence’s balcony to watch the flypast at 3.30p.m.