This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8090608.stm

The article has changed 33 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Last-minute talks to avert strike Tube strike begins as talks fail
(about 2 hours later)
Talks are being held between London Underground bosses and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union to try to avert a 48-hour Tube strike. A 48-hour Tube strike has begun after talks broke down between London Underground (LU) bosses and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union.
Travel chaos could hit millions of passengers if the strike goes ahead at 1859 BST. Millions of passengers face travel disruption during the strike, which began at 1859 BST.
Fresh talks between the RMT and Tube bosses are being held at conciliation service Acas. On Monday, talks failed to resolve a row over pay and jobs. The RMT has called for a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies.
Mayor Boris Johnson said the strike was "ludicrous and unnecessary disruption". Normal Tube services are not expected to resume until Friday morning. One hundred extra buses will be in service.
Negotiators from London Underground (LU) have been joined by the RMT's leader Bob Crow at Acas. Last minute talks between London Underground (LU) and the RMT's leader Bob Crow at Acas failed to avert the strike.
'Unnecessary' disruption 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."
Earlier, the RMT said it was also open to more talks with the mayor or transport commissioner. London Mayor Boris Johnson said the strike would cause "ludicrous and unnecessary disruption".
A spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on both sides to negotiate saying any disruption would be "disappointing and completely unnecessary". 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) will also bring in a taxi-sharing scheme at all major rail stations, 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. 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.
Talks over Tube strike continue 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.
Oyster cards will be accepted on all trains, 100 extra buses and a free River shuttle service will be in place.
Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal.Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal.
Normal services were expected to resume by Friday morning.
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.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.
Football Association (FA) chief executive Ian Watmore confirmed the match will kick off at 2015 BST as planned.Football Association (FA) chief executive Ian Watmore confirmed the match will kick off at 2015 BST as planned.
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.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.Last week, the FA stopped ticket sales for the game.
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.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.
"We will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture. "We will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture."
"My message to the RMT is that strike action will not move the prospect of a deal an inch closer."
Transport 'unreliable'
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.
Mr Crow said: "We expect it to be solidly supported."
Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said the union's attitude was "a slap in the face to all hardworking Londoners".
A spokesman for London First said: "These strikes will cost London's economy around £50m per day and risk sending an unfortunate message to visitors and investors: that London's transport systems are unreliable."