UK travel strikes and closures: What to expect this month

Published on Oct 8, 2025, 9:42 am CDT

6 min read

Rail strikes, planned engineering works, and airport and motorway closures will bring intermittent disruption across the UK this month. CrossCountry faces RMT strike dates, Transport for London has multiple weekend shutdowns, and Heathrow has airside tunnel works alongside a long-running runway rehabilitation. Drivers should also expect overnight lane and slip-road closures on the M25 near Junctions 25 to 27. Travelers should check routes and leave extra time on the listed dates.

Key points

Why it matters: Multiple rail strikes and closures overlap with weekend travel and school runs.
Travel impact: Reduced rail timetables, Night Tube suspensions, airport works, and M25 night diversions.
What's next: Further autumn engineering works and additional strike ballots could extend disruption.
London Underground, DLR, and Elizabeth line have targeted weekend shutdowns.
Heathrow's northern runway rehab continues into spring 2026; airside tunnel closures this week.
CrossCountry is the main operator with confirmed national strike dates.

Snapshot

The RMT has confirmed national strike action targeting CrossCountry on October 18 and November 1, cutting long-distance rail options across central and northern corridors. In London, TfL's weekly bulletin shows Piccadilly line and DLR closures over October 11-12, with Night Tube suspended on affected sections. Heathrow has two overlapping programmes: a multi-month northern runway rehabilitation through March 2026 and a short, scheduled airside tunnel closure period this week. On the roads, National Highways lists recurring overnight closures and restrictions on the M25 between Junctions 25 and 27, with additional works windows mid-month. Caledonian Sleeper services have several October amendments tied to engineering windows. Travelers should verify services the day before departure.

Background

Since 2022, industrial action across UK transport has ebbed and flowed as unions negotiate pay, rosters, and staffing. While several disputes have settled, targeted walkouts persist on individual operators, especially at weekends. In parallel, Network Rail and TfL continue multi-year upgrades that require periodic closures on the Underground, DLR, and key intercity routes. Airports are also running planned works cycles; at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), the northern runway rehabilitation and periodic airside infrastructure closures are proceeding alongside the government's night-flight regime bridging from October 2025. Add seasonal roadworks on the M25, and the result is a patchwork of short-notice and planned disruptions that travelers must navigate carefully.

Latest developments

Rail strikes: CrossCountry walkouts hit intercity links

The RMT has confirmed national strike action at CrossCountry on Saturday, October 18, and Saturday, November 1. The operator is assessing reduced timetables, with advice to check journeys on the day and expect last-minute alterations. While other operators are not directly part of this action, connections may be affected by displacement and crew constraints, so allow extra time and confirm last trains. Separate from strikes, Caledonian Sleeper has multiple October date-specific amendments on Highlander and Lowlander services due to engineering works, including adjustments on October 10-12, 17, 19, 24, and 26. Travelers should review their booked trains 24 hours in advance and watch for bus replacements or altered calling patterns.

London: TfL closures on Piccadilly line and DLR this weekend

TfL's planned-track-closures bulletin for October 6-12 lists Piccadilly line suspensions between Hammersmith and Cockfosters, including Night Tube, plus Rayners Lane to Uxbridge. DLR closures include West Ham to Woolwich Arsenal, and Tower Gateway to Shadwell on Sunday. Elizabeth line has mid-week service changes through October 8. Additional "major works and events" advisories flag rolling weekend maintenance across the network. Expect crowding on parallel routes and leave extra time when interchanging between Tube, DLR, and National Rail.

Airports: Heathrow runway rehab and airside tunnel closures

Heathrow's northern runway (09L/27R) rehabilitation programme remains active from early August 2025 through March 31, 2026, under an AIP Supplement, with daytime runway alternation continuing when on westerlies. Separately, Heathrow's Airside Tunnel Closure Programme includes a work block from October 6-10, 2025, finishing by 04:30 on October 11. While passenger-facing impacts are expected to be limited, ground movements and stand plans can shift, so monitor airline messages, particularly for early-morning departures during works windows.

Roads: M25 overnight closures near Junctions 25-27

National Highways' live roadworks feed shows overnight closures and restrictions on the M25 between Junctions 25 and 27 this week, typically 2200-0530. Additional closures around the M11 interchange are scheduled mid-month. Drivers heading to or from London airports should check closures on the day, follow signed diversions, and build in buffer time for possible lane reductions or slip-road closures.

Analysis

The concentration of planned works in mid-October creates a classic squeeze on capacity across modes. On rail, even single-operator strikes ripple outward by absorbing spare stock and crews, complicating connections and last services. CrossCountry's footprint touches multiple trunk routes that travelers use for airport access, particularly to Birmingham and Manchester, so missed connections can cascade. In London, simultaneous Piccadilly line and DLR closures remove key east-west relief corridors on a busy weekend. Expect heavier loads on the Elizabeth line and London Overground, with longer platform dwell times around interchange hubs like Stratford and Finsbury Park. At Heathrow, the long-running runway works are designed to minimize passenger impact, but early-morning operations are most sensitive to stand and taxiway adjustments; tight connections are vulnerable if inbound spacing widens. On roads, the M25 night windows can still snare late flights and early ferries; time-of-day planning remains the best mitigation. The through-line is predictability: confirm service status the day before, choose earlier departures where possible, and keep flexible tickets.

Final thoughts

To reduce the risk of missed connections, aim for earlier trains before planned rail strikes, avoid last departures on engineering weekends, and leave extra time for airport transfers when M25 closures are posted. With runway and tunnel works at Heathrow and targeted TfL shutdowns, a proactive plan will save stress. Keep alerts on for operator updates, and always recheck your itinerary the night before. With a little buffer, you can navigate October's UK travel strikes and closures.