Delegates attending this year’s World Travel Market in London’s Docklands face transport chaos as the RMT union has announced strikes on the first day of the event.

Strikes are due to take place on 3, 5 and 7 November.

WTM takes place at the ExCel centre from 7 to 9 November.

Previously, the easiest way to reach ExCel from central London was via the underground, travelling on the Jubilee tube line to Canning Town and switching to the Docklands Light Railway to Prince Regent or Royal Victoria Station.

This year, the new Elizabeth Line was expected to reduce the journey time from central London by two-thirds, with trains to Customs House running every five minutes and taking just 12 minutes.

However, Transport for London says the strikes on 7 November will affect ‘some’ tube and Elizabeth line services as well as London Overground trains.

The tube is planned to run on 7 November, but shared lines with Network Rail that are affected by industrial action could disrupt services.

Trains into London from other parts of the UK will also be hit on 7 November.

For instance, Great Western Railway will have only a limited service between 7.30am and 6.30pm and Avanti West Coast has advised customers to expect significantly reduced services.

Greater Anglia and East Midlands Railway have advised customers to avoid travelling as services will be ‘severely disrupted’.

Other ways to reach ExCel from central London

Thames Clipper river boats leave London piers every 20 minutes. Alight at North Greenwich Pier and take the Emirates Airline Cable Car across the river to ExCel. It is offering WTM delegates a half-price fare of £3 one-way.

Excel has 1,500 car parking spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis, which cost £20 for 24 hours.

Other car parks close by are: Dockside Road Car Park, London E16 2QT and  Manor Road Car Park, Canning Town, E16 4PA

Elsewhere, the O2 has more than 2,000 parking spaces. Charges vary, depending on duration of the stay. Visitors should use car parks 2, 3 & 4.