[OLD]London Tube strikes – live: Most Underground lines suspended as walk-outs disrupt travel across capital
London Underground staff are striking on 1 and 3 March
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The entire Tube network is currently disrupted as London Underground staff stage the first of two 24-hour strikes set for this week, on Tuesday and Thursday respectively.
Today’s walkout has left nearly all Tube lines completely suspended, with commuters advised to work from home where possible. It began at 12.01am and will end at 11.59pm tonight.
The RMT union has blamed the dispute on “a financial crisis at LUL (London Underground Limited)”, which general secretary Mick Lynch described as being “deliberately engineered by the government”.
Transport for London (TfL) has warned travellers to expect “severe disruption to all lines and stations throughout the day [and the] possibility of no London Underground services.”
A second 24-hour strike begins a day later, running from 12.01am on Thursday, 3 March.
Commuters are encouraged to walk or cycle where possible; London buses, TfL Rail, National Rail, DLR, London Overground and Tram services will all be in operation, but are expected to be busier than usual.
Passengers have been advised to allow more time for their journeys this week due to the disruption.
Industrial action continues
This week’s 24-hours strikes on the London Tube have now run their course, but members of the RMT union are engaged in disputes on other fronts.
Transport for London says: “There is planned strike action every Friday and Saturday night between 2030 and 0429 the following morning until Sunday 19 June.
“Central and Victoria lines could be affected. A good service is expected on the Victoria line (including Night Tube).
A regular service is expected on the Central line (at least two trains per hour through central London).
“Please check your travel if you are using these lines before 0600 on Saturday or Sundays.”
In northern England and other Scotland, members of the RMT union are striking on TransPennine Express on Sunday 6 March.
“We will be running an amended timetable,” the train operator says.
“There will be a significant reduction in services so please consider if your journey is necessary.
“Tickets for travel on Sunday will be valid for Saturday 5 or Monday 7 March instead.”
The rail union says: “TransPennine Express conductors are battling against attacks on pay and enhancements which are eating away the value of their wages.”
Tube network largely back to normal
The London Underground network looks largely back to normal following yesterday’s Tube strike.
According to status updates by TfL, a good service is now operating on the Bakerloo, Central, District, Metropolitan, Victoria and Waterloo & City lines.
The Circle, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee and Piccadilly lines are reporting “minor delays”.
Rail problems away from the Underground
The Thameslink line through the centre of the capital, which many London commuters have been using while Tubes are disrupted, is itself hitting problems.
The core north-south line from London St Pancras to Blackfriars is experiencing problems caused by “earlier issues with the electricity supply in the Farringdon area”.
National Rail says: “Trains running between London St Pancras International and London Blackfriars may be delayed by up to 20 minutes or cancelled.
“If your about to start your journey and your train is cancelled you can use your ticket on Southern between London and Sutton, Great Northern between London Kings Cross and Cambridge, East Midlands Railway between London St Pancras International and Luton Airport Parkway and London Buses between London & Elstree and Sutton & Wimbledon.”
Disruption is expected for another hour at least.
Bakerloo line service back to normal
The Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines have now joined the Central and Victoria lines in operating a “good service”, according to TfL status updates.
Other TfL transport providers that weren’t involved in yesterday’s strike are all operating as usual: TfL Rail, trams, Overground and the DLR.
Severe delays are reported on the Piccadilly, District and Jubilee lines; minor delays are being experienced by the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.
Commuters frustrated by another morning of disruption
Commuters have expressed surprise that disruption to the London Underground network has continued this morning.
“I thought tube strikes are over today. Ppl need to go to work u know,” tweeted one social media user.
Another wrote: “Good morning from London, where the Tube strike goes on… even if for a short time… hopefully.”
TfL tweeted this morning: “In addition to today’s Tube strikes, services will be affected on 4 March. No service expected before 8am. Travel after mid-morning. For essential journeys, check your travel.”
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s Tube strike liveblog. We’ll be bringing you all the latest news and updates throughout the day.
TfL warns of further disruption tomorrow
Transport for London (TfL) is already warning Londoners to prepare for more disruption to journeys tomorrow morning following today’s Tube strike.
This afternoon, the official TfL account tweeted: “In addition to today’s Tube strikes, services will be affected on 4 March.
“No service expected before 8am.
“Travel after mid-morning.
“For essential journeys, check your travel.”
Jeremy Corbyn supports striking Tube workers
The former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has tweeted his support for members of the RMT union who have brought almost the entire London Underground network to a halt.
Mr Corbyn wrote: “Solidarity with those on @RMTunion picket lines across London today, striking against job cuts and cuts to London Underground staff pensions.”
The MP’s tweet brought a swift response from “Russell_Premier”. He tweeted: “But no compassion for the millions of Londoners impacted by this unnecessary strike, including residents of Islington. There have been no job cuts or cuts to staff pensions as yet.”
North London trains delayed
Travellers in north London who have switched to National Rail trains to avoid the Tube strike are facing further problems.
“A fault with the signalling system at Elstree & Borehamwood is causing disruption to Thameslink services between London St Pancras International and St Albans,” passengers are being told.
“Drivers must stop their trains and get verbal permission to proceed. This takes additional time, compared to a normal journey.
“Some services may need to be revised to call at fewer stations en route, and may also use different platforms at West Hampstead Thameslink, Cricklewood, Hendon, Mill Hill Broadway and Elstree & Borehamwood.”
Disruption is expected until 2pm.
Fewer trains than usual are running on the Thameslink network, which connects Brighton and Gatwick with Luton, Peterborough and Cambridge.
“This is following a period of significant staff absence due to Covid,” the train operator says.
Traffic chaos in central London
Much of central London is gridlocked – partly because of the extra traffic created by the Tube strike, but also because one of the capital’s key arteries, Whitehall, is closed. Buses that normally use the link between Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square are being diverted via the Embankment, adding to congestion and extending journey times for passengers who are unable to take the London Underground.
Traffic is reported as very slow moving on the South Bank, across Waterloo Bridge and along the Strand.
Unusually, traffic jams have built up on the roads through the Royal Parks. The Queen’s own limousine – which does not have registration plates – was caught up in a long queues of vehicles in St James’s Park, but the monarch was not in the car.
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