Last-minute talks to prevent a strike by London Underground staff have failed, meaning wide-scale disruption is expected for Thursday.
The strike over pay, pensions and job cuts will bring the Tube to a standstill but there will be ways of getting around.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union said the strike was going ahead after Transport for London (TfL) refused to pause job cuts and pension changes while both sides tried to find a negotiated settlement.
When is the strike?
It is a 24-hour walkout from 8am on Thursday, but there will be disruption from Wednesday evening until Friday lunchtime.
What is the advice to passengers?
Basically, avoid trying to travel on the tube. At best, there will only be few trains running. At worst, nothing.
Overground and DLR services will run but be prepared for changes, delays and crowds.
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Southwark underground station, closed due to strike action, in London. AP -
A closed Victoria underground train station. Tube workers represented by the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are conducting a day-long walkout due to a pension dispute. Getty Images -
An underground railway station is emptier than usual as staff stage a national strike in London. Getty Images -
Commuters queue for buses outside Victoria underground train station. Getty Images -
A public information notice at Stratford train station in east London. PA -
Piccadilly line trains remain at the depot. AP -
Closed gates at Northfields tube station. AP
Buses are expected to be jammed with passengers who normally catch the tube.
Trams in south London will be running a reduced service and are expected to be busy.
What tube lines will be on strike?
All of them.
That’s the Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Waterloo & City lines.
But the new Elizabeth Line is not an Underground service, so it will be running. The same goes for DLR and Overground trains.
Tube
There will be limited or no services running.
London Overground
Services subject to last-minute changes, and non-stopping at some stations shared with London Underground.
DLR
Services subject to last minute changes, and non-stopping at some stations shared with London Underground
Elizabeth line
Reduced early and late service in central stations.
Trams
There will be reduced services, that are also expected to be extremely busy.
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Commuters queue to board packed buses at Victoria Station as a tube strike affects the Monday morning rush hour in London. Getty Images -
Piccadilly Line tube trains parked at a depot near Boston Manor tube station in London, as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union take industrial action. PA -
Transport for London (TfL) warned of widespread disruption to the Tube service as about 4,000 station staff went on strike. Getty Images -
Commuters at Waterloo Station. London Underground advised people not to travel. PA -
People ask for assistance next to locked gates at Waterloo Station. PA -
Commuters wait at a bus stop outside Victoria train station. AFP -
Commuters waiting at a bus stop in Paddington. PA -
Commuters walk past a locked Tube station entrance in London. Getty Images
The union says …
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “TfL have missed a golden opportunity to make progress in these negotiations and avoid strike action on Thursday.
“Our members are resolute in their determination to see a just settlement to this jobs and pensions dispute. They will continue their industrial campaign for as long as it takes.”
TfL says ...
Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “We met with the RMT and Unite this week to urge them to call off this Tube strike as no proposals to change pensions or conditions have been made.
“Unfortunately, no agreement could be reached but we remain open for discussions as there is still time for the unions to call off this action."
