New Year Fireworks

Once again millions of people around the world will have their eyes on the South Bank firework display around the London Eye, courtesy of the Mayor of London.

This year more than 350,000 people are expected to celebrate the start of 2008 in Central London - with many more watching live on BBC One.

"London's New Year's Eve fireworks display is world famous and the capital one of the best places in the world to be during the festive season," says Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.

"The success of the display is down to the many organisations, including police, transport and local authorities, that come together to provide a stunning backdrop to the capital's celebrations."

With 2008 being the year the Olympic and Paralympic Games take place in Beijing, the year that Olympic flame is carried through London and the year of the handover to London as host city, the projections onto the Shell Centre in the build up to the midnight countdown will be themed 'An Olympic Year' will feature striking photographic images inspired by the greatest sporting event in the world.

Thanks to BBC Radio 1, this year's projection and lighting display will be accompanied by a pre-recorded soundtrack featuring exclusive mixes by DJs Rob da Bank and Gilles Peterson, which will be played as crowd gathers until the midnight countdown.

Viewing locations

Anywhere you can see the London Eye you will be able to see the fireworks.

Designated viewing areas include Victoria Embankment, Parliament Square, Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Belvedere Road and Chicheley Street.

Note that the Golden Jubilee Bridges (Hungerford Bridge) will be closed from 8pm.

Those wanting to view the fireworks at the river should be aware that it may be necessary to close the riverside viewing areas once they are full to avoid potential overcrowding.

Road Closures

See PDF guide to road closures. All roads in SE1 west of Blackfriars Road and London Road will be closed to traffic 7.30pm to 3am.

The following roads will be closed from 6pm, Monday 31 December to 6am, Tuesday 1 January
• Westminster Bridge
• Westminster Bridge Road between Westminster Bridge and Addington Street
• Addington Street
• Belvedere Road
• York Road
• Chicheley Street
• Waterloo Bridge (as much as lies in Lambeth)
• Waterloo Road (between Waterloo Bridge and Tenison Way)
• Concert Hall Approach
• Tenison Way

Waiting Restrictions

There will be waiting restrictions on Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge from 1pm on Monday 31 December to 6am on Tuesday 1 January.

Parking Bay Suspensions

Parking bays will be suspended in Belvedere Road and Chicheley Street from 8.30am on Monday to 8.30am on Tuesday.

Policing

"NYE in London is a great celebration and we're certainly not there to spoil the fun but we want people to have a safe time as well as an enjoyable time," says ACC Alan Pacey of the British Transport Police.

"The majority of people go into London to see the fireworks display and enjoy the atmosphere but we want to make sure that anyone who has other intentions knows what they can expect from us, especially if they are being aggressive or abusive towards other passengers and rail staff.

"Some people will be drinking heavily during NYE and I remind them that being drunk is not a defence for anti-social and aggressive behaviour."