Tube Strike Action -
Travel Guidance
Strike action is planned on the London Underground from midday Tuesday 19 May to midday Wednesday 20 May 2026. This affects travel to and from judging presentations taking place at the Construction News offices in Bouverie Street, EC4Y. Please plan your journey carefully and allow extra time.
About the Strike
Tube and Underground Services Affected
Strike action is planned from midday Tuesday 19 May to midday Wednesday 20 May 2026. Severe disruption is expected across the Tube network, with many lines potentially having no service from lunchtime on Tuesday. Travellers are advised to complete all tube journeys by 8pm on Tuesday evening, as no service is expected on many lines after 9pm. Wednesday morning departures will also be significantly affected until services resume around midday. Elizabeth line, London Overground, DLR, National Rail, tram services, and buses are expected to run as normal throughout.
Tuesday Morning Arrivals - No Disruption Expected
If your judging presentation is scheduled for Tuesday morning, you should be able to travel via the Underground as normal. The strike is not due to begin until midday, so services should be unaffected for morning travel to Bouverie Street.
Wednesday Judging Presentations
If your presentation is on Wednesday 20 May, please note that significant disruption to tube services is expected in the morning until the strike ends at midday. Plan to use alternative transport for your arrival, or allow extra time if travelling after midday when services are expected to return to normal.
Check the latest service status at tfl.gov.uk/status-updates before you travel.
Expected Disruption by Time of Day
| Morning | Late morning | Early afternoon | Evening | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 19 May | ||||
| Wednesday 20 May |
Note: Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days. Source: Transport for London.
Key Details
| Dates | Tuesday 19 - Wednesday 20 May 2026 |
| Venue | Construction News Offices, emap Publishing, 2nd Floor, Harmsworth House, 13-15 Bouverie Street, London EC4Y 8DP |
| Nearest tube | Blackfriars (District and Circle lines) - approx. 5-min walk. City Thameslink is a 3-min walk and is unaffected by the strike. Check tube status before travelling on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. |
| Also nearby | Chancery Lane (Central line) and Temple (District and Circle lines) - both approx. 10-min walk. Confirm service status before travelling. |
| Parking | Very limited parking near the venue. The office is within the Congestion Charge Zone and ULEZ charges apply. Public parking available at Upper Thames Street NCP. |
Alternative Travel Options
These options are particularly relevant for Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, when tube services will be severely disrupted.
City Thameslink
City Thameslink station is a 3-min walk from Harmsworth House and is unaffected by the strike. Direct services run to Blackfriars, Farringdon, St Pancras, Luton, and beyond. This is the most reliable rail option for those arriving from the north or via the Thameslink network.
Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth line is not affected by the strike. City Thameslink and Farringdon stations (both within 5-10 min walk) connect to the Elizabeth line via the Thameslink network and the adjacent Farringdon station respectively. Farringdon Elizabeth line is approximately 12 minutes' walk from Harmsworth House.
London Buses
Bus services will run as normal throughout the strike. Routes serving Fleet Street and Bouverie Street include 4, 11, 15, 26, 76, 341. Blackfriars and Ludgate Circus stops are the closest to the office. Expect higher demand and allow extra journey time.
National Rail
National Rail services are unaffected by the strike. City Thameslink (3-min walk) and Blackfriars National Rail (5-min walk) both provide direct access from many London termini and beyond. Cannon Street station (approx. 12-min walk) is also well served by South Eastern services.
Black Cab, Uber and Rideshare
Black cabs and rideshare apps (Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW) are a practical option, though demand will be high on strike days. Book in advance where possible. Note that Bouverie Street is within the Congestion Charge Zone - charges apply Mon-Fri, typically until 6pm.
E-bikes and Santander Cycles
Santander Cycles docking stations are located on New Bridge Street and along the Embankment, both within 5 minutes of the office. Dockless e-bike schemes including Lime and Forest also operate across central London. Waterloo, London Bridge, and Liverpool Street are all reachable by bike in under 20 minutes.
Before You Travel
Journey Planning Tips
- Download the TfL Go app for live bus, DLR, Elizabeth line and Overground updates
- Use Citymapper for real-time routing that automatically avoids disrupted services - it is particularly useful on strike days
- Check tfl.gov.uk/status-updates on the morning of your presentation day before you leave
- If your presentation is on Tuesday afternoon, allow at least 45-60 additional minutes on top of your usual journey time - tube services will be severely disrupted from midday
- If your presentation is on Wednesday morning, plan to use National Rail, Thameslink, or buses for your arrival - tube services will not be running normally until around midday
- Complete any tube journeys on Tuesday evening before 8pm if possible - many lines are expected to have no service after 9pm
- Use Google Maps or Trainline to find real-time routes avoiding the tube
- If sharing a taxi, co-ordinate with others from the same direction to split costs
- If driving, note the office is within the Congestion Charge Zone and ULEZ charges apply. Check tfl.gov.uk for current charge times