Epsom Derby 2024 guide to road closures, Southern timetable changes, and no-stop zones
Epsom is bracing for thousands to flock to the town this weekend for the return of the world-famous Epsom Derby races. The Betfred Derby Festival 2024 at Epsom Downs Racecourse is taking place today, Friday, May 31, and tomorrow, Saturday, June 1. For anyone planning to travel to Epsom from London across the weekend[1], it’s worth considering that heavy traffic and congestion are expected to impact surrounding areas.
There are also changes to the Southern Rail timetable – with some trains not running. To help ease travel delays, road closures, rule changes and relaxations will be enforced from today, May 31 and Sunday, June 2. Some routes in Epsom will be shut altogether, like Walton Road south of the racecourse, and Ashley Road between Langley Vale Road and Downs Road.
Multiple road closures and train timetable amendments will affect those travelling to the derby (Image: Getty Images)
Certain routes will be shut to all vehicles except emergency services, like Grandstand Road and Old London Road. Other routes will be turned into one-way streets, so shuttle buses can take visitors to and from the racetrack. A public footpath on Ashley Road that crosses to the southern side of the racecourse will not be in use during the event.
Once the event is over, the path will be reopened to pedestrians, reports Surrey Live[3]. A series of streets have also been listed where vehicles will not be able to stop and wait. Traffic wardens and police will be patrolling on roads including Ashley Road, Chalk Lane and Strand Close.
For more on the road rules during the Epsom Derby, read below for the exact roads that are earmarked for closure, and where wardens will be patrolling.
Train timetable changes
Southern Railways will be operating an amended timetable on 1 June. The following changes will be in place:
- London Victoria to Reigate services will be diverted at East Croydon and run to Tattenham Corner (non-stop from Purley).
- London Bridge to East Croydon via Tulse Hill services will be extended to Tattenham Corner. After East Croydon, these services will call at South Croydon, Purley, Reedham, Coulsdon Town and Tattenham Corner only.
- Services between London Bridge and Beckenham Junction via Crystal Palace will not run.
- Services between London Bridge and London Victoria via Crystal Palace will not run.
As a result of this amended service:
- There will be no Southern trains at New Cross Gate, Brockley, Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill or Sydenham.
Ticket acceptance will be in place on London Overground services.
- There will be no direct trains between Crystal Palace and London Bridge. Ticket acceptance will be in place on London Overground services.
- There will be no Southern trains at Coulsdon South, Merstham or Redhill. These stations will still be served by Thameslink trains throughout the day.
- There will be no Southern trains at Reigate.
Change at Redhill for Thameslink services towards London. Ticket acceptance will be in place on Great Western Railway services.
- There will be no train service at Birkbeck. Ticket acceptance will be in place on London Trams.
- There will be no Southern trains at Beckenham Junction.
Ticket acceptance will be in place on Southeastern services and London Trams.
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Street closures
The streets shut in Epson on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 include:
- Ashley Road between Langley Vale Road and Downs Road.
- Ebbisham Lane between Hurst Road and Walton Road.
- Tattenham Corner Road between the Grandstand Road junction with Old London Road.
- Walton Road south of the southern arm of the racecourse.
Entry will also be prohibited at certain times on the following streets:
- Grandstand Road from the roundabout outside Grandstand in the morning.
- Grandstand Road from Buckles Gap roundabout in the afternoon.
- Old London Road from Buckles Gap roundabout in the afternoon.
Wardens may be able to stop vehicles turning left from the High Street on to Waterloo Road, or stop vehicles heading north bound from entering Waterloo Road between the High Street and Station Approach junction.
One-way streets
During certain parts of the day, the roads will become one way streets:
- Grandstand Road from the Buckles Gap roundabout 90m east of the roundabout in the morning.
- Grandstand Road to the Buckles Gap Roundabout in the afternoon.
- Old London Road to Tattenham Corner Road to Buckles Gap roundabout in the afternoon.
Closed public footpath
The following paths will be shut to the public:
- Footpath 50 Epsom Downs, from Ashley Road to the southern side of the racecourse
Waiting vehicles
Drivers will not be able to stop and wait on the following Epsom roads:
- Ashley Road.
- Beaconsfield Road.
- Burgh Heath Road.
- Chalk Lane.
- Church Street.
- College Road.
- Derby Arms Road.
- Derby Stables Road.
- Downs Road.
- Ebbisham Lane.
- Grandstand Road.
- Grosvenor Road between junctions of Langley Vale Road and Harding Road.
- Harding Road between junction of Grosvenor Road and Roseberry Road.
- Headley Road.
- Langley Vale Road.
- Longdown Lane South.
- Loop Road.
- Old London Road.
- Roseberry Road between junctions Langley Vale Road and Harding Road.
- Strand Close.
- Tattenham Corner Road.
- Treadwell Road.
- Wilmerhatch Lane.
- Woodcote Side.
Public transport access
Buses and taxis will have access to the following routes:
-
From 4pm on Saturday, June 1, buses and coaches will be waiting from Ashley Road
-
Buses will be able to wait from Station Approach
-
Parking and stopping will be suspended between 11am and 2.30pm on Friday, May 31 near Costa Coffee in Station Approach so buses can collect passengers
-
Taxi cabs can operate from Car Park 8 near the Derby Arms pub
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References
- ^ across the weekend (www.mylondon.news)
- ^ ‘Absolutely stunning’ M&S dress that ‘hides belly’ and gets compliments from strangers (www.mylondon.news)
- ^ Surrey Live (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ MyLondon (www.mylondon.news)
- ^ click this link (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ MyLondon (www.mylondon.news)
- ^ can read our privacy notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to sign up for alerts. (chat.whatsapp.com)
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