Southport royalists forced into motorway u-turn after lying in state closure

The queue to see the Queen lying in state has been closed due to 12 hour long queues, forcing many people to cut their historic journeys short.

A number of royalists and history buffs have successfully made the journey from Southport to the capital to see the coffin of Her Majesty lying in state.

However as queues began to grow and get out of control organisers have now said people should no longer travel from around the country.

It comes as the queue to see the Queen’s coffin hit five miles long and waiting times of over 12 hours.

One disappointed Southport royalist Sue Atherstone told OTS News she had only set off early Friday morning to make the historic trip.

“Dear Editor. I hope this experience helps others to make the right decision.

“My daughter and I wanted to pay our respects and it’s important to witness history like this.

“I hadn’t planned to go but one of my friends had made the trip days before and told me it was unmissable.

“We took the day off and drove down but by the time we got to Milton Keynes we heard on the radio that they had closed the queues and people were being told to turn back.

“We’re going to stay outside London and hope they reopen but we are determined.’

The queue to see the Queen lying in state has been paused after Southwark Park – the end of the queue – reached capacity

Entry is being paused for at least six hours, the government says, with mourners told not to attempt to join until it re-opens