DLR strike 2018: How to get to London Marathon amid four-day walkout

A four-day DLR strike is set to cause major travel disruption for tens of thousands of runners and supporters flooding the capital for this weekend's London Marathon.

The industrial action by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is due to start at 4am on Friday.

Union members and DLR operators KeolisAmey are locked in a dispute over outsourcing.

Although talks were held at the conciliation service Acas an agreement has not been reached.

When is the strike taking place?

The strike will start at 4am on Friday, April 20, and last until 4am on Tuesday, April 24.

During that time TfL says it will try to provide as much of a service “as possible” but significant disruption is expected.

How will the Marathon be affected?

Runners and supporters travelling to Greenwich DLR station for the start of the run will face disruption.

TfL says DLR’s limited service will prioritise getting people to the start, as well as trying to get supporters to popular viewing points along the 26.2-mile route.

The strike is likely to have a knock-on effect on Tube services, with the Jubilee, Central, District, Hammersmith & City lines in east London and London Overground between Highbury & Islington and Surrey Quays expected to be much busier than usual.

Canning Town, Bank, Stratford, Canary Wharf, Canada Water and London Bridge stations are likely to be busier than usual.

Disruption is also likely for marathon runners attending the pre-marathon registration event at the ExCel Centre in east London, close to Custom House and Prince Regent DLR stations.

That event runs from Wednesday at 11.30am until Saturday afternoon.

How do I get to the marathon?

People are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys, while TfL staff will be on duty at DLR stations to help commuters find additional routes.

There will be extra buses running along DLR routes during the strike however these and local bus services may be disrupted by London Marathon road closures.

Roads in the start area will close from 6am, with diversions in operation in the Greenwich, Charlton and Deptford areas.

For those wanting to get to the start, Southeastern services run to Greenwich, Blackheath and Maze Hill. Thames Clipper services will run to Greenwich Pier.

Coaches may also be provided from central London by some running clubs and groups. More information can be found here.

TfL recommends following @TfLTravelAlerts, @TfLBusAlerts and @LondonDLR on Twitter for all the latest updates.

Mark Davis, TfL's interim general manager of the DLR, said: "Millions of pounds are raised for charity at the London Marathon and we don't want to see the thousands of people who have signed up to run, or their supporters, disrupted.

"We urge RMT and KeolisAmey Docklands to continue with discussions to settle their dispute.

"If this strike goes ahead, we will work hard to provide as much of a service as possible over the four days with a particular aim of helping runners and supporters get to the starting line on Sunday."

Why is the strike happening?

Mick Cash, the RMT general secretary, says the dispute is over “outsourcing and ensuring workplace justice”.

He said: "RMT continues to push for a negotiated settlement in a dispute that is about turning the tide on outsourcing and ensuring workplace justice for this key group of London transport workers."