Britain grinds to a halt: Roads and motorways are empty during Monday morning rush hour as commuters stay home or camp out overnight to watch Queen’s funeral
- London’s highways were almost deserted after a slew of road closures which were imposed by the Met Police
- Most trips in and around the capital have been limited to a few large buses in and around Westminster Abbey
- Northern motorways connecting Manchester and Liverpool were almost empty with people staying at home
- Today’s public bank holiday will see a host of businesses close for the day including shops and restaurants
Britain’s roads and motorways ground to a halt during rush hour on Monday morning as commuters stayed at home or camped out over night to watch the Queen’s funeral.
London’s highways were almost deserted after a slew of road closures were imposed by the Met Police, with tourists and locals looking to drive around the capital being advised to check before they travel.
Most trips in and around the City have been limited to a few large buses with darkened window’s criss-crossing the streets around Westminster Abbey.
As of 9.30am some buses appeared to have been transporting military officers in ceremonial dress which were spotted in and around Parliament Square and Birdcage Walk.
Meanwhile in the North the M62 connecting Manchester and Liverpool was almost deserted while a usually packed contraflow system on Birmingham’s Aston Expressway was almost void of vehicles.
Today’s public bank holiday – which was granted by King Charles and given the green light by the accession council – will see a host of businesses close for the day including shops, restaurants and pubs.
The M62 connecting Manchester to Liverpool was deserted and almost empty as commuters stayed home or camped out ahead of the Queen’s funeral at 11am
Junction, A1M / A14 was also very bare on Monday morning as the nation mourned the loss of Britain’s longest serving monarch
Another snapshot of the M62 which is usually brimming with vehicles travelling between Manchester and Liverpool. Meanwhile a slew of businesses including retail, hospitality and entertainment shut their doors ahead of the state funeral in London today
Streets in the heart of Liverpool were empty this morning. The news comes after a number of roads in and around the city are set to close in the coming week
The M60 motorway, the Manchester ring road, which surrounds the great Northern city, was almost empty this morning
Parts of the M60 which connects Liverpool, Salford, Irlam and areas of Trafford fell silent on Bank Holiday Monday. The news comes as the country came to a stand still as bin collections, driving tests and a number of hospital appointments all scrapped their services for the day
The streets of Manchester were deserted this morning as the vast majority of shops are closed for the Queen’s funeral
Despite the deserted roads in the North, huge crowds flocked into central London this morning for the funeral service, with City Hall officials issuing a warning at 7.30am
Trips in and and around the City of London have been limited to a few large buses with darkened window’s criss-crossing the streets around Westminster Abbey
No cars were spotted at times on the M62 between Liverpool and Manchester. Meanwhile some of the city’s big retail employers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Lidl and Aldi are among those closing their supermarket stores for the day.
A usually packed contraflow system on Birmingham’s Aston Expressway from the Spaghetti Junction into the city is almost void of vehicles as people stay at home to watch the state funeral of The Queen
Meanwhile trains to London from Newcastle were deserted despite fears extra carriages were needed ahead of the funeral.
Major rail companies bulked up services so more people could travel to the capital to pay their respects.
Night trains were also added allow mourners to return back home but now they may not be needed.
Reports suggested Durham station was busy yesterday with people choosing to head down at the weekend a day in advance.
One passenger, who got the train from Newcastle at 4am, was greeted by an empty Central Station with more people returning from night’s out than heading to London.
He said: ‘Quiet here so far with 40 minutes until the first train departs for London.
‘I’m shocked at how quiet this train is. More people are heading home from nights out than going to London. Possible mourners who wanted to beat the rush are already in the capital.’
At the same time bin collections, driving tests and a number of hospital appointments have all also been scrapped, while there are closures at English Heritage and National Trust sites
Supermarket stores including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Lidl and Aldi are among those closing their supermarket stores for the day.
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