Warning over coronation travel chaos as map reveals major road closures will shut down the capital

BRITS have been warned to brace for coronation travel chaos as a map reveals how major road closures will shut down the capital.

In a matter of days, streets across London will be cut off in preparation for the King's ceremony and events on May 6.

This will restrict all traffic access - including bikes and buses - on both sides of the river.

Routes around St James's Park, Westminster, Waterloo and Charing Cross Tube stations will be shut from 4pm on May 2 until 9am on May 3 for event preparations.

Then, on May 5 and 6 a raft of road closures will be back in place for coronation events.

Council bosses have warned any vehicles parked on closed roads will be removed.

The closures stretch from Knightsbridge to London Waterloo station.

Maps released by City of Westminster Council show the sprawling area which will be closed off to traffic on the days before, and day of, the ceremony.

Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, said today: "Public transport remains the best way to travel in London during the coronation weekend and is at the heart of making this historic occasion a success, just like it did when London saw the 1953 coronation of Elizabeth II. 

"With no planned engineering closures, I hope people make the most of the public transport options to enjoy the bank holiday."

He was speaking after National Highways announced it will lift more than 700 miles of roadworks on motorways and major A roads ahead of the coronation weekend. 

These include routes expected to be used by thousands of people driving to London for the occasion. 

They will not be put back in place until after May 8, which is the bank holiday. 

National Highways customer services director Andrew Butterfield said: "We know that people will want to head to London to witness this historic moment and that's why we have lifted as many roadworks as possible where it is safe to do so across our network. 

"Given the size and complexity of some projects, it's not practical to remove them for a couple of days.

"However, the good news for motorists is that 96 per cent of our network will be roadworks-free over the coronation bank holiday weekend."