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Tube strike begins as talks fail Tube strike begins as talks fail
(30 minutes later)
A 48-hour Tube strike has begun after talks broke down between London Underground (LU) bosses and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union.A 48-hour Tube strike has begun after talks broke down between London Underground (LU) bosses and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union.
Millions of passengers face travel disruption during the strike, which began at 1859 BST.Millions of passengers face travel disruption during the strike, which began at 1859 BST.
The RMT has called for a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies. Normal Tube services are not expected to resume until Friday morning. Extra buses, free river shuttle services and taxi-sharing will be in place.
Normal Tube services are not expected to resume until Friday morning. One hundred extra buses will be in service. The RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies.
Last minute talks between London Underground (LU) and the RMT's leader Bob Crow at Acas failed to avert the strike. 'Solidly supported'
Last minute talks between LU and RMT leader Bob Crow at Acas failed to avert the strike.
Mr Crow said: "There was a deal to be done there today then for some reason either the solicitors or City Hall took the rug out from beneath us."Mr Crow said: "There was a deal to be done there today then for some reason either the solicitors or City Hall took the rug out from beneath us."
London Mayor Boris Johnson said the strike would cause "ludicrous and unnecessary disruption". He added: "As far as we are concerned we made every effort here today.
"The strike goes ahead and we expect it to be solidly supported."
About three million people use the Tube network daily and the strike has been estimated to cost the London economy about £100m, business group London First said.About three million people use the Tube network daily and the strike has been estimated to cost the London economy about £100m, business group London First said.
Transport for London (TfL) will also bring in a taxi-sharing scheme at all major rail stations. Transport for London (TfL) urged people to check before they travel, to stagger their journeys and to consider alternative ways of getting to work such as walking and cycling.
There will be escorts to lead cyclists across the capital and extra parking will be in place for bicycles as part of its contingency plans. We regret the disruption the strike will cause to passengers as the impact on Tube services is likely to be significant Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy
Oyster cards will be accepted on many overground trains, and a free river shuttle service will be in place in addition to the extra buses. Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal during the strike.
Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal. A free river shuttle service will be in place in addition to 100 extra buses.
England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Wembley Stadium will go ahead on Wednesday evening despite concerns for the safety of fans travelling to the game. There will be escorts to lead cyclists across the capital and extra parking will be in place for bicycles. TfL will also bring in a taxi-sharing scheme at all major rail stations.
Football Association (FA) chief executive Ian Watmore confirmed the match will kick off at 2015 BST as planned. Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said: "We regret the disruption the strike will cause to passengers as the impact on Tube services is likely to be significant.
As Wembley Park Tube station will be closed, the 70,000 supporters will be forced to either use overground services or to go by car, even though there is a lack of parking in the area. "However, the mayor and TfL have prepared plans to keep London moving and thousands of TfL staff will be on hand across the city to help our passengers."
Last week, the FA stopped ticket sales for the game. 'Small minority'
Mr Johnson said: "It is quite simply outrageous for the leadership of the RMT to ask their members, the majority of whom did not vote for this strike, to take part in this ludicrous and unnecessary disruption to our city. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said the strike was damaging for business, would cause widespread inconvenience and hurt London's reputation.
"We will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture." Deputy director general John Cridland said: "It is regrettable that a small minority of people are prepared to inflict this kind of disruption on others at such a difficult time."
LU had offered staff a four-year deal of 1.5% this year and then the inflation rate plus 0.5% - or a two-year deal of 1% now and inflation plus 0.5% in year two.LU had offered staff a four-year deal of 1.5% this year and then the inflation rate plus 0.5% - or a two-year deal of 1% now and inflation plus 0.5% in year two.
However, the RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies. However, the RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies. About 3,000 RMT members voted in favour of the strike.
About 3,000 RMT members voted in favour of the strike. England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Wembley Stadium will go ahead on Wednesday evening despite concerns for the safety of fans travelling to the game.
As Wembley Park Tube station will be closed, the 70,000 supporters will be forced to either use overground services or to go by car, even though there is a lack of parking in the area. Last week, the FA stopped ticket sales for the game.