The TUC has released further details for anyone wanting to attend the national demonstration – Britain needs a pay rise – on 18 October in London.
The march will assemble from 11am on the Embankment near Blackfriars. It will then move off at noon, and march via Northumberland Avenue, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly to Hyde Park for a rally.
This is a slightly shorter route that previous marches, and it’s hoped that this will allow more people to get to Hyde Park in time for more of the rally content. This will mean that the march does not pass Westminster or Downing Street.
The key Tube stations will be Blackfriars, Southwark and St Pauls. Temple is likely to be closed as it is small and easily overcrowded.
There will also be a short march for those who do not wish to do the full route.
There will be an assembly area on the Embankment and a viewing platform in Hyde Park for wheelchair/scooter users. Please let the TUC know as soon as possible if any members require British Sign Language interpretation at the rally. See the email link below.
A lot of stewards will be needed to support and guide the marchers, and UNISON is looking to help by recruiting both senior and route stewards.
Senior stewards will be placed along the route of the march (or in other locations such as the form-up and in Hyde Park). Senior stewards will be expected to attend a training session in advance in either Glasgow or London.
In order to ensure there are sufficient numbers, the TUC is asking unions to recruit most of their senior stewards by the end of June and would welcome people with previous experience, although this is not essential.
Route stewards will move with the march. Many will be recruited by unions or other supporting organisations to look after groups of members. They will need to register in advance, complete an on-line training exercise and wear a TUC-provided hi-vis jacket (not their own organisation’s).
It’s important that members sign up to attend as early as possible as it impacts on the the number of police and other services needed at the event.
Coach parking update
The TUC has now identified a range of coach parks around central London for use on the day. These can be booked by either coach companies directly, or by the hiring organisation eg a union branch.
It is the responsibility of the person making the booking to ensure that all paperwork arrives with the appropriate coach on the day.
From the north and west
200 parking bays have been secured at Wembley Stadium. The coach park post code is HA9 OWS. Coaches wishing to book a bay should go to the official Wembley parking site and follow the instructions.
A total parking fee of £34 per coach is payable. If there are still spaces left, it will be possible to purchase parking at Wembley on the day, but the cost will be considerably higher.
Wembley Stadium coach park will be staffed from at least 8.30am – 8pm ensuring early arrivals gain entry and all vehicles have time to depart the site post event.
From the south and south west
200 parking places will be available at New Covent Garden in Nine Elms. The coach park post code is SW8 5BX. Coaches wishing to book a bay should go to the New Covent Garden coach park booking site. A parking fee of £61.00 plus booking charge of £4.31 per coach is payable.
If there are still spaces left, it will be possible to purchase parking at New Covent Garden on the day, but the cost will be £150 per coach.
From the east
There will be 50 parking places at the O2 Arena in Greenwich. The coach park post code is SE10 ODX.
Coaches wishing to book a bay should go to the Event Brite coach parking site. A parking fee of £61.00 plus booking charge of £4.31 per coach is payable.
If there are still spaces left, it will be possible to purchase parking on the day, but the cost will be £150 per coach.
Nearer the time, the False Economy web site will offer a facility for coach organisers to offer spare seats.
Email the TUC with any enquiries
More information and to download materials to help publicise the march
