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Rush hour chaos on the Tube was threatened today after union bosses ordered its drivers to cut train speeds by half on four of the busiest lines.

The move will ruin timetables on the Jubilee, Central, Northern and Victoria lines in a dispute over track noise.

Drivers will cut speeds over 28 sections of track where noise is at its worst in the industrial action starting on October 10.

The tracks run between Euston and King’s Cross on the Victoria line, Tottenham Court Road and Holborn on the Central line, Camden Town and Euston on the Northern line and Green Park and Bond Street on the Jubilee line.

These sections have a system to lessen vibration but drivers say it creates “horrendous noise” and they fear hearing loss.

RMT leader Mick Cash said Tube bosses have refused to provide an acceptable timetable for the track to be changed or introduce speed limits, adding: “It should never have come to this”.

Transport for London said: “We have already agreed to provide a broader range of ear protection to drivers who wish to use it alongside plans for longer-term solutions to this complex issue.”

RMT staff on the District line will be told not to work alone as they begin industrial action from midnight to protest assaults. RMT is demanding more protection for staff and passengers.