No Elizabeth line trains run between Paddington, Abbey Wood and Heathrow on 28 and 29 November. From Bromley, the planner sends you via the Piccadilly line.

No Elizabeth line trains will run between Paddington and Abbey Wood, Paddington and Shenfield, or Paddington and Heathrow Airport and Maidenhead on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November, so anyone in Bromley heading to Heathrow that weekend will be sent the slower way, on the Piccadilly line. Transport for London (TfL) announced the closure on Wednesday 11 November and said it is for engineering work across most of the line.

The only Elizabeth line trains running will be a shuttle between Maidenhead and Reading, two an hour in each direction.

What it means for a trip from Bromley

The usual route from Bromley South to Heathrow on a Saturday morning uses the Elizabeth line from central London. We asked TfL’s Journey Planner on 11 November for the same 10am departure on two Saturdays, a week apart:

Saturday Leave Bromley South Arrive Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 Minutes Route
21 November 10:03 11:22 79 Southeastern to Victoria, Victoria line to Oxford Circus, Elizabeth line
28 November 10:03 11:29 86 Southeastern to Victoria, District line to Hammersmith, Piccadilly line

On the closure weekend the planner’s first three options from Bromley South all take the District and Piccadilly lines, at 80 to 86 minutes. That is only a few minutes longer on paper, but the Piccadilly line is a stopping Tube service, so anyone with luggage or a flight to catch should leave extra time.

Not every Bromley trip is affected. The planner gave the same routes on both Saturdays from Orpington to Canary Wharf (Southeastern to London Bridge, then the Jubilee line, about half an hour) and from Bromley South to Farringdon (Southeastern to Herne Hill, then Thameslink, 40 minutes). Anyone who usually changes onto the Elizabeth line at Farringdon, Whitechapel or Abbey Wood will find no trains there that weekend.

Where the replacement buses run

TfL’s notice lists rail replacement buses on four sections, all at the far ends of the line:

  • Stratford to Romford
  • Shenfield to Chadwell Heath and Newbury Park
  • Ealing Broadway to Slough
  • Slough to Maidenhead

None of those is in south-east London or on the branch to Abbey Wood. For the rest of the line, TfL is pointing people to the Tube, National Rail and local buses.

Why the line is closing

TfL said the closure lets engineers renew rails and level crossings and maintain the overhead line equipment that powers the trains. It called the Elizabeth line “the single busiest railway service in the UK”.

Trish Ashton, TfL’s Director of Rail, said: “We understand that these closures can impact customers’ journeys and would like to thank them for their patience while this essential work takes place. The work we’re carrying out is essential to maintaining the safety and reliability of the Elizabeth line for the millions of customers who rely it on every year.”

She added: “We encourage customers to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel on TfL’s Journey Planner or the TfL Go app. Rail replacement buses and alternative travel options will be available throughout the closure.”

The closure covers only Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November. Southeastern and Thameslink are not part of TfL’s notice, so check National Rail Enquiries for those on the day. Our Bromley roadworks and travel page carries the latest local closures.

Source: TfL media briefing, 11 November 2026; journey times from TfL’s Journey Planner, checked 11 November 2026.