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Tube passengers are facing the prospect of major disruption as a strike hits part of the Underground network next week.

District line services are expected to be affected by the 24-hour walkout on Friday, April 13, in a dispute over a driver.

The Aslef union balloted its members over the way the SPAD (Signals Passed At Danger) policy had been applied to a member of train crew from the Acton depot.

Transport for London said the driver had a number of safety incidents in their first few months in the job and was offered an alternative role on the stations which they agreed to.

The walkout is due to begin at 12.01am on Friday, lasting until 11.59pm. Transport for London said it expects the District line to run at about 60 per cent of capacity if the strike goes ahead.

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on London Underground, accused TfL representatives of failing to discuss the issue.

TfL said it expected to run 60 per cent of District line trains

He added: "Sadly, some managers on LU want to pick and choose which policies they apply. Threatening individuals with disciplinary action, refusing to talk, and leaving our members with no other option than to take strike action is not the progressive approach we expect to see from Transport for London.”

TfL disputed the union’s version of events and said no disciplinary action had been threatened against the driver at the centre of the dispute.

A spokesman added: “A driver had a number of safety incidents in their first few months of driving and, in line with our agreed policies, was offered an alternative role on our stations which they agreed to.

“There is no cause for a dispute, and we call on the unions to continue working with us to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.”

The strike was due to be held on March 28 but was later postponed because of a flaw in the balloting process.