Tube strike: The image that shows how London was brought to its knees

Taken at 17:30 yesterday it was posted to Twitter along with a call for commuters to avoid Trafalgar Square

The image, which was tweeted by the account @MPSinthesky, which posts live updates from Metropolitan Police Helicopters high above the capital, shows the strain placed on London's already bulging arteries by the extra traffic on the road. (@MPSinthesky)

The impact of the 48-hour London Underground strike on the capital's roads has been starkly illustrated by an overhead picture of London showing a snarled up gridlocked mass of traffic around Trafalgar Square during yesterday's chaotic rush-hour.

The image, which was tweeted by the account @MPSinthesky, which posts live updates from Metropolitan Police helicopters high above the capital, shows the strain placed on London's already clogged arteries by the extra traffic on the road.

Taken at 17:30 yesterday it was posted to Twitter last night along with a call for commuters to avoid Trafalgar Square.

Millions of passengers faced disruption, chaos and overcrowding yesterday as the strike, called by the RMT and TSSA unions in opposition to the proposed closure of ticket offices, impacted on rush-hour commutes.

The 48-hour strike is due to end at 9pm tonight with another strike planned for next week.

Images from across the capital showed huge queues at bus stops and tube stations as passengers attempted to make their journey home amid a limited Tube service.

The industrial action had a knock-on effect on the roads with widespread gridlock and congestion across the capital.

Today all sides in the dispute agreed to return to the table for talks aimed at heading off the second part of the strike next week.