A40 closure: What you need to know

The A40 in west London will be closed for more than a month from Friday evening, while "critical" structural joints are replaced between the Westway roundabout and the Marylebone flyover.

Transport for London (TfL), which is responsible for the road, said the works would ensure the A40 flyover could continue to be used safely.

Local businesses have shared concerns with the BBC about the closure, with one food delivery company saying it has been left "alone" to deal with the disruption and the financial implications.

Stuart Harvey, from TfL said: "We appreciate that, though necessary, these works will cause disruption to journeys, and I'd like to thank people in the area for their patience."

The two-and-a-half mile elevated motorway connecting the A40 at White City to Marylebone Road in Paddington opened in 1970.

In the 56 years since, the road has deteriorated to the point where the speed limit had to be reduced in July 2020 from 40mph to 30mph to protect the ageing expansion joints.

It's estimated that around 100,000 cars use the road every day, and there are concerns that if major repair work isn't completed, it could affect the road significantly in the future.

While closed, two major joints will be replaced along the Westway. TfL said the new joints would allow the flyover to safely expand and contract with temperature changes and vehicle movements.

TfL said the road closure, in both directions, would begin at 22:00 GMT and run until at least late April, although no reopening date has been set.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has told the BBC that the A40 closure is going to have a "huge impact" on the economy in west London.

"Obviously we are aware, as an organisation, that the closure is important for safety work, but it is going to be at a big cost to small business owners," said Sarah King, the regional business and stakeholder manager.

"In terms of costs, businesses in that area are going to be impacted by the fact that they are facing gridlock situations, which are going to impact their trade on a day-by-day basis for what is a long period of time," King added.

She noted that it was "really important" that the work did not overrun.

It's something echoed by local business owner Raaj Thakrar, the director of Valimex in Park Royal, which delivers food to schools, hotels and other businesses first thing in the morning.

His plan is to ask staff to start three hours earlier than normal, at 03:00 instead of 06:00.

"I guess we can't say the works can't happen, so if they need to happen, we'll have to work around it," Thakrar said.

With an operation involving 40 vans around London, the overtime bill is going to be "significant", he explained.

"It's stressful, but getting there a few hours earlier is the only option we have," he said.

The stress isn't just on small businesses, but the customers too, Thakrar explained.

"If they need to cook food for kids at schools, or whatever they need to do, they need the food there. So they're stressed.

"Most of them are agreeing to open up earlier as well, just to get the deliveries in," he said.

Thakrar said it felt as though the A40 closure had not been communicated well, adding that he had been left to feel "lonely" by trying to manage the disruption to his business himself.

His views were put specifically to TfL but it declined to comment further.

Darren Parr, a black-cab driver, told the BBC: "It's going to be massive disruption.

"All the way from White City, Shepherd's Bush roundabout - it's going to be like an absolute car park," Parr said.

"This is going to make a massive change to people's journeys, everything's going to be affected," he added.

Although Parr does not think it will necessarily decrease demand for cabs, he said "it's going to have an impact on the fare for customers".

Stuart Harvey, from TfL, said: "I'd encourage everyone to plan ahead and use alternative modes of transport where possible."

TfL recommends people check the roads status page on its website before travelling.

• Motorists travelling between the M25 and central London via the A40 are advised to use the M4 and A4 instead
• Those travelling between outer London and central London are advised to use the A312 Parkway or A406 North Circular Road to connect to the M4 and A4 to central London
• People are encouraged to consider using the Tube, rail and bus services and to walk or cycle where possible
• Those who need to drive during these works, are advised to allow more time for their journey, to check before they travel, to plan ahead and to avoid busy times where possible
• Buses affected include: 6, 13, 16, 18, 23, 27, 28, 31, 49, 52, 70, 72, 74, 94, 95, 98, 113, 139, 148, 189, 205, 207/N207, 220, 260, 272, 274, 295, 316, 452, E3, C1, SL8

A number of local authorities neighbouring the A40 have told the BBC they will be working to minimise disruption where possible.

Kensington and Chelsea Council said that during the period of the closure "our transport team will be restricting other planned works for main roads in the surrounding area".

Ealing Council told the BBC it would be "strictly reviewing applications for streetworks" until late April.

TfL said that following the closure, until 6 July, on every weekend apart from bank holiday weekends the A40 would be closed to westbound traffic at the Westway roundabout.

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