possible London Underground strike
 

It looks like there may be a strike just as I am arriving into LHR. I've only taken the Underground or HEX+Underground previously. It looks like the Airbus was discontinued in 2004 (too bad, route was really close to my hotel).

If there is a strike, what are the alternatives (besides taxi)? I'm trying to get to the Marble Arch area. It looks like Bus #94 stops there. Is this a good alternative? I'll be arriving into LHR just as rush hr starts if that impacts any decisions.

Fingers crossed the strike is averted!

If you're talking about the one on the 10th it's still on.

The Heathrow express will be unaffected as will London's buses (and quite a lot of the underground will be OK too - but don't rely on it).

There's plenty of buses from Paddington to Marble Arch (they're quite close together).

Here is a link to press release by London government, including alternatives during the strike being made available, such as national rail being available with Oyster Card, extra buses and shared taxi at rail stations.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/medi...tre/11971.aspx

Also on www.tfl.gov.uk, you can use advanced search under journey planner and check only the box for bus to plan bus routes anywhere you want to go.

From Heathro to Marble Arch, there is a series of three buses, or if you can at least get Heathrow Express, they are showing any of four different routes will get you from Paddington to Marble Arch.

Paddington National Rail Stn
Take the Route Bus 436 from Stop: H
towards Lewisham / The Lewisham Centre
or Route Bus 36 from Stop: H
towards New Cross Gate Bus Garage
or Route Bus 23 from Stop: H
towards Liverpool Street
or Route Bus 15 from Stop: H
towards Blackwall.

(I don't remember from the previous tube strikes if Heathrow Express is considered "national rail" that will admit you with your Oyster card or no.)

Thanks.

Would Heathrow Connect be a good alternative? It's cheaper than HEX and goes to Paddington as well. It looks like it is part of National Rail. Does that means my Oyster card will be ok to use in the event of a strike?

The strike affects tube, expected to start from 7pm tonight till 7pm Thurs 11th. Buses and mainline trains (including Heathrow Express) should be running. Though expect many of the buses to be crowded/not taking extra passengers.

From Paddington, walk straight toward Pread St (exit to the left of stairs to underground) instead of heading toward the taxi rank on the right. Most of the buses go to Marble Arch. If you are not carrying luggages, you can even walk (takes about 20min along Edgware Rd).

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Back in London again at The Lanesborough in my room using the free internet. I just love it here. check it out www.lanesborough.com

Anyways, I thought the strike started already and just took the Heathrow connect today. It's much cheaper than Heathrow Express and only takes 25 mins to Paddington. There are alot of buses from there so dont worry. Apparently you will be able to use the Oyster card for trains later when the strike acutally starts.

Thanks all.

Did a bit of research into buses. My hotel is on Park Lane about 300 m from Marble Arch. It looks like bus 36 and 436 will stop close by my hotel.

Also plotted a walking route via walkit.co.uk to the hotel. Looks like it would only take about 20 minutes from Paddington. I plan to walk if not raining.

Good to know about the Oyster card. I'm planning on taking Heathrow Connect into central London.

Still keeping my fingers crossed the last minute talks will avert the strike but planning for the worst.

They're still talking....

We're here in London til Friday, and, while this is inconvenient for us, we're trying to keep a positive attitude about it. Fortunately, we're staying at the Hilton Trafalgar, so we have a million different buses right outside of our door.

>>..They're still talking....<<

Hard to shut Bob Crow up