Transport chiefs warned of a rush-hour surge as underground closes until Friday morning, with commuters posting pictures of the chaos online

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

London commuters were starting to battle major transport problems as the most widespread tube strike in decades started on Wednesday evening.

The 24-hour industrial action began at 6.30pm, with disruption meaning services would not resume until Friday morning. After 6.30pm on Wednesday some stations were quieter than usual, with some services still running at 7pm, although staff said all services would definitely cease by 8pm.

Prior to the walkout, services were winding down and coming under strain. Transport for London (TfL) had warned commuters that the rush-hour would be particularly busy as many attempted to leave early ahead of the strike.

Images of chaos outside underground stations, including Oxford Circus and Victoria, have been posted by commuters on social media. Hundreds of would-be tube passengers vented their frustration as crowds swelled outside the entrances to the underground with commuters spilling into the streets.

Sophie Murray-Morris (@smurraymorris) Fun at Victoria #TubeStrike pic.twitter.com/daVZ6bFXl7

Francine Beleyi (@FrancineBeleyi) #London tube strike disruptions tonight. oxford circus station temporarily closed. view from a bus pic.twitter.com/o0G01ueM3Y

Kate Stent (@katestent) Tube strike causing havoc at Oxford Circus! #tfl #tubestrike #oxfordcircus #toomanypeople pic.twitter.com/PI2kX036SQ

Most rail services, the Docklands Light Railway and the London Overground will continue to operate throughout the strike, as will buses and riverboat services, but traffic was expected to be heavy.

The strike action by four unions representing almost 20,000 staff, including train drivers, is the result of a continuing dispute over pay and rosters for the all-night tube services planned to start at weekends in September. Unions said further strikes would follow this summer unless London Underground improved its offer.

Talks broke down on Tuesday evening between tube managers and the unions, with both sides denouncing the other’s negotiating tactics.

Further rail misery was confirmed when last-ditch talks between the RMT union and First Great Western (FGW) to head off a separate 48-hour strike, also starting on Wednesday evening, broke down. The strike will see national rail services from London to the south-west and Wales – including the Ashes venue, Cardiff – severely depleted.

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In the capital, TfL said extra bus and river services would run, but increased traffic was likely to severely affect all public transport.

It advised passengers to travel outside peak hours if possible on Thursday, and walk or cycle – ideally on their own bike, with the cycle hire scheme expected to be in strong demand, despite extra docking stations being added in central London.

Passengers can check before they travel at TfL’s website and via Twitter by following @TfLTravelAlerts, @TfLTrafficNews and @TfLBusAlerts.

TfL was also deploying travel “ambassadors” and volunteers to assist and hand out maps at central London transport hubs. The congestion charge will still apply.

Mike Brown, the managing director of London Underground, said the strike was “totally unnecessary”, adding: “We have strained every muscle to put together a remarkably fair pay offer to reflect the transformation in the service. But the leaderships of the unions have refused to respond to this offer … We remain committed to talking at any time provided that they are serious about engaging with us.



“As well as the damage to real businesses and real people in our city, strikes also mean the pointless loss of pay for staff and put a huge dent in our income.”

But Labour politicians backed union claims that staff had not been adequately consulted nor compensated for the changes to working conditions that the night tube would bring. Leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn tabled a Commons motion expressing dismay at the imposition of night working, warning that was “being rushed in on the back of massive cuts to staffing and strains on the existing infrastructure”.

Labour’s London Assembly transport spokeswoman, Val Shawcross, accused the mayor of having provoked the strike. “By announcing the night tube without any prior consultation or negotiation with the staff he expected to run it, Boris Johnson has caused many of the problems we face today,” she said.

Both LU and unions said they would be available for talks on Friday.

Cricket spectators travelling to Cardiff will be among thousands of FGW passengers affected by the 48-hour strike by the RMT over safety concerns and job cuts in the introduction of new trains.



The action will disrupt trains to and from London Paddington and close some branch lines in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. FGW warned that its long-distance trains would be very busy and have no catering, with only two trains running from London in time for the match and the direct services from Bristol Temple Meads closed for 48 hours.

FGW said passengers who could make alternative travel arrangements should do so where possible.