Tube strike times: When is it? How long will it last? And what lines will be affected?
The strike will take place over four days
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Your support makes all the difference.Tube stations and underground lines are expected to close this weekend due to another round of industrial action by disgruntled transport unions.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) expects more than 3,000 members to strike over safety issues the union says have been caused by job cuts.
Transport for London has issued advice warning of “a significant impact” on all forms of travel, forecasting buses and roads around the capital to become even more crowded than usual.
Four million journeys are made on the Tube every day.
Here is everything you need to know about the strike.
When does the strike start and how long will it last?
The walkout is planned to begin at 6pm on Sunday 5 February, and will then continue through Monday until 4pm when a normal service will resume until 12pm on Tuesday when the strike gets underway again. It is expected to finally end at 9am on Wednesday 8 February 2017.
Why is RMT striking again?
The Union says the latest strike is in response to London Underground cutting 838 jobs, and its closure of ticket offices in recent years. RMT wants the job cuts to be reversed, saying safety on the network is “on a knife edge”.
Of those members balloted by the union, 85 per cent supported strike action.
Since announcing the strike, a fire beneath an escalator at London Bridge has prompted the union to repeat its call to reverse job cuts, saying a build-up of grease thought to have caused the blaze would have been spotted if more staff had been working.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “With the cuts to maintenance regimes on escalators and other assets it is foolish in the extreme to run these kind of risks across the Tube network.”
He added: “RMT will not stand by while ruthless cuts made by former mayor Boris Johnston seriously threaten the safety of Londoners.”
Which lines are affected?
The Northern Line, Bakerloo Line, Victoria Line, Piccadilly Line, Central Line, Metropolitan Line and some parts of the Overground will all be affected by the walkout, mostly in central London.
Disruption on the Northern and Piccadilly Lines will be greater in extent, according to TfL’s map of what is affected.
Will there be alternative transport available?
On its website, TfL says: “Our plan is to get customers as close to central London as possible with the services we're able to run.”
“Other transport, like buses and roads, will be busier than usual.”
The organisation advises people to “check before you travel, allow more time for your journey, and avoid the peak times if you can.”
Affected travellers can also hop on a ‘Boris bike’ to cut through the expected road traffic jams.
Is there a chance it will be called off?
Yes. Talks between RMT and London Underground may resume on Friday, if an agreement is reached, there is a chance the strike could be averted. But the likelihood of such a positive outcome currently appears to be low.
Keep an eye on TfL's advice page for updates.
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