[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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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Strike officially begins
It is 12.01am, which means the London tube strikes have officially begun.
For more information on why staff are taking this action in the first place, head here:
Why is there a tube strike? Everything you need to know
The RMT union has instructed its members not to come to work on Tuesday 1 and Thursday 3 March
Is the UK too quick to suggesting working from home post-Covid?
Harry Cole, of the Sun newspaper, sparked debate this evening by suggesting as much.
TfL: ‘Our customers deserve better than this’
Let’s hear from Transport for London (TfL) now. Andy Lord, TfL’s chief operating officer, said:
“I would ask anyone who needs to use the Tube on 1 and 3 March to check before they make their journey, consider whether they are able to work from home and use alternative modes of transport where possible.
“It’s highly unlikely there will be an Underground service running during the strike action and services are likely to be affected on the mornings of 2 and 4 March too.
“I apologise to customers for this and understand they will be frustrated by this strike action, but urge them not to take it out on those who are trying to help.
“We haven’t proposed any changes to pensions or terms and conditions, and nobody has or will lose their jobs because of the proposals we have set out, so this action is completely unnecessary.
“We know our customers deserve better than this and that is why we’re urging the RMT to talk to us so we can find a resolution to this dispute and call off this action, which is threatening London’s recovery from the pandemic.”
Khan: London lifts mandatory mask rules on tube
The tube strikes come only a week after the Mayor of London abandoned Covid rules on London’s underground network, in line with the government’s decision to launch its living with Covid plan.
Here’s Emily Atkinson with more on that:
London to lift mandatory mask rules on tube, Sadiq Khan announces
London’s mayor today announced that he expects to lift the requirement to wear face coverings while onboard Transport for London (TfL) services.
Watch: Possible to run a better system on London Underground, says PM
In images: London prepares for tube strikes
Why is there a tube strike? Everything to know
Major tube strikes are expected to affect the entire London Underground network this week.
The RMT union confirmed on Friday that talks with arbitration service Acas had broken down.
As a result, Transport for London (TfL) staff will stage mass walk outs on two days. The dispute is over jobs, pensions and working conditions, our travel team write.
Why is there a tube strike? Everything you need to know
The RMT union has instructed its members not to come to work on Tuesday 1 and Thursday 3 March
Mayor of London condemns disruptive action
A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said of the imminent strikes:
“The upcoming strike action will cause disruption to Londoners and businesses that are trying to recover from two devastating years.
“It will also damage TfL’s revenues at a time when TfL is already under huge financial strain due to the pandemic.
“TfL are working to mitigate the impact of the strikes but disruption is inevitable. The mayor urges Londoners who need to travel on March 1 and 3 to check before they make their journey, consider whether they are able to work from home and use alternative modes of transport where possible.
“Sadiq doesn’t want to see strike action and is imploring the unions to come to the table and work with City Hall and TfL.”
How can I get around London during strikes?
Tube strikes across the entire London Underground network will bring the capital to a standstill on two days this week: Tuesday 1 and Thursday 3 March.
The days following each walkout are also expected to see widespread disruption.
So how can you get around London on the strike days? Our travel editor Helen Coffey takes a closer look.
How can I get around London during the Tube strikes?
Walkouts will disrupt entire network on 1 and 3 March
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