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Tube strike: London Underground delays as strikes begin Tube strike begins across London Underground network
(35 minutes later)
Severe delays are reported on the Tube as industrial action over pay and conditions gets under way. Tube staff have gone on strike across the entire London Underground network in a row over pay and conditions.
Delays are already affecting the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Piccadilly lines, according to Transport for London (TfL). The strike, which officially began at 18:30 BST, affects all Tube lines and finishes at 21:30 BST on Thursday.
The strike, which officially begins at 18:30 BST, will affect all Tube lines and finishes at 21:30 BST on Thursday.
London Underground (LU) warned there could be no services on Thursday as a result of the walk-out.London Underground (LU) warned there could be no services on Thursday as a result of the walk-out.
Strikes were called after LU and unions failed to agree a pay deal over new Night Tube services.Strikes were called after LU and unions failed to agree a pay deal over new Night Tube services.
In a separate dispute, First Great Western staff are planning to go on strike for 48 hours beginning at 18:30 BST, causing disruption to services between London, the west of England and Wales. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), and Unite started their 24-hour strike at 18:30 BST.
At Oxford Circus station, a temporary closure has been put in place to control crowds after its CCTV failed. Aslef drivers will start their 24-hour action from 21:30 BST, although disruption is anticipated to occur several hours either side of the start and finish times.
Severe delays reported on Piccadilly, Hammersmith and City and Circle lines relate to a "customer incident" and are not thought to be linked to increased passenger numbers aiming to avoid the industrial action. In a separate dispute, First Great Western staff also walked out for 48 hours at 18:30, causing disruption to services between London, the west of England and Wales.
Reporter on the scene Gerry Holt At the scene
Queues at Oxford Circus Tube station were three-deep on some parts of the northbound Victoria line platform just after 16:30 - the rush to beat the strike has begun in earnest. Beth Rose, BBC News
Tube carriages were packed, with dozens standing, and at each stop the same warning messages echoing in commuters' ears about last trains, delays and the looming strike action. People had to beat the crowds by leaving work early and getting the last Tubes out of the city.
Those travelling home now are the lucky, or sensible - depending on how you view it - ones. There's no doubt the picture will be much worse in an hour or so. But with noses pressed against backs and bodies crushed against the walls of shops, the realisation quickly dawned on them that everyone had the same idea.
BBC London reporter Anna O'Neill tweeted: "Tubes are already packed heading to Paddington." The pressure started early. From 16:00, people were sweeping down the street, almost jogging to reach the Tube entrance.
But the crowds grew too quickly and plans had to be changed. Commuters consulted their phones, hoping to find an alternative route.
Failing that, when buses were dismissed as too full, the favourite option seemed to be a resigned shrug of the shoulders and a plan to walk - trainers or not.
Wimbledon spectators planning to use the Tube were warned to leave "as soon as possible" during Andy Murray's match.Wimbledon spectators planning to use the Tube were warned to leave "as soon as possible" during Andy Murray's match.
Ahead of the walk-out, Mayor of London Boris Johnson tweeted: "Tube strike politically motivated - union bosses need to explain why they refuse to put new offer to members - disgraceful - call it off!"Ahead of the walk-out, Mayor of London Boris Johnson tweeted: "Tube strike politically motivated - union bosses need to explain why they refuse to put new offer to members - disgraceful - call it off!"
But the four unions involved maintain the new plans would be disruptive to their members' lives.But the four unions involved maintain the new plans would be disruptive to their members' lives.
This is what you need to know about the Tube strikesThis is what you need to know about the Tube strikes
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), and Unite plan to begin their 24-hour strike at 18:30 BST. Commuter Billi-Jo Highdale, whose parents are both black cab drivers said: "I've got to get to the DLR somehow as I need to go from Greenwich to Mile End, or find a lift from someone. I had plans with a friend for tomorrow but I've had to cancel them.
Aslef drivers will start their 24-hour action from 21:30 BST, although disruption is anticipated to occur several hours either side of the start and finish times. "My parents are black cab drivers so they will do well. It's as good as a three-day weekend for them, although it sucks for everyone else."
Camilla Fleury, a fashion retailer, said: "I got out of work fine and I'll probably walk to a DLR line and then use that to get home. It's going to be a very long walk, but I hope I can do it within an hour."
Another commuter said: "I have no idea what to do tomorrow. My bosses are being understanding, but we have to show up in the office at some point."
The weekend night services are set to begin on 12 September on sections of the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.The weekend night services are set to begin on 12 September on sections of the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.
BBC London transport correspondent Tom Edwards said LU bosses said the date for introducing the night Tube could be put back. They said the date was "feasible...but not at any price".BBC London transport correspondent Tom Edwards said LU bosses said the date for introducing the night Tube could be put back. They said the date was "feasible...but not at any price".
There are concerns some employees will have to work more overnight shifts and may have to work on their own in some stations.There are concerns some employees will have to work more overnight shifts and may have to work on their own in some stations.
Transport for London (TfL) said extra buses, river boats and Santander Cycles would be provided during the strikes.Transport for London (TfL) said extra buses, river boats and Santander Cycles would be provided during the strikes.
Analysis by Richard Westcott, BBC Transport CorrespondentAnalysis by Richard Westcott, BBC Transport Correspondent
This Tube strike is as much about personalities as it is about the deal they are trying to hammer out.This Tube strike is as much about personalities as it is about the deal they are trying to hammer out.
The team negotiating for LU is new at this. The Chief Operating Officer, Steve Griffiths, joined from Virgin Atlantic earlier this year, and my understanding is that no-one on the management side of the table has experience dealing with rail deals.The team negotiating for LU is new at this. The Chief Operating Officer, Steve Griffiths, joined from Virgin Atlantic earlier this year, and my understanding is that no-one on the management side of the table has experience dealing with rail deals.
Not that long ago, bosses on both sides would have got together, informally, maybe over a beer, to see if they could smooth the path for an agreement.Not that long ago, bosses on both sides would have got together, informally, maybe over a beer, to see if they could smooth the path for an agreement.
That hasn't happened this time.That hasn't happened this time.
So, we've got a group of frustrated unions. A frustrated LU. And four million Tube passengers in the middle.So, we've got a group of frustrated unions. A frustrated LU. And four million Tube passengers in the middle.
Both sides think the other is being unreasonable.Both sides think the other is being unreasonable.
Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any of those old, informal lines of communication open right now, which in the past might have just sorted this out.Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any of those old, informal lines of communication open right now, which in the past might have just sorted this out.
TfL warned roads and public transport would be much busier than usual and advised travelling outside normal rush-hour periods.TfL warned roads and public transport would be much busier than usual and advised travelling outside normal rush-hour periods.
Passengers using First Great Western services will also be hit by a 48-hour RMT strike from 18:30 BST, which is expected to disrupt long-distance services in the west of England, Wales and those in and out of Paddington.
About 20,000 Tube workers are expected to walk out.About 20,000 Tube workers are expected to walk out.
On Monday, unions rejected LU's latest pay deal, which it said was an increased but "final" pay offer made "in an attempt to conclude five months of talks".On Monday, unions rejected LU's latest pay deal, which it said was an increased but "final" pay offer made "in an attempt to conclude five months of talks".
It included a 2% rise this year and £2,000 for drivers on the weekend night Tube service.It included a 2% rise this year and £2,000 for drivers on the weekend night Tube service.
Mr Johnson told the BBC: "What we've done is made an extremely good offer, that I think most Londoners would think was more than handsome."Mr Johnson told the BBC: "What we've done is made an extremely good offer, that I think most Londoners would think was more than handsome."
Getting aboutGetting about
TfL adviceTfL advice
Unions would "not succeed" in their aims, he said, and urged them to accept the pay offer, which he described as "final".Unions would "not succeed" in their aims, he said, and urged them to accept the pay offer, which he described as "final".
He said it was "absolutely wrong to hold London to ransom" and apologised for the disruption, which he warned would be "very considerable".He said it was "absolutely wrong to hold London to ransom" and apologised for the disruption, which he warned would be "very considerable".
Finn Brennan, Aslef's organiser said the responsibility of the strikes "rests squarely with London Underground management" who "squandered the window of opportunity" to resolve it.Finn Brennan, Aslef's organiser said the responsibility of the strikes "rests squarely with London Underground management" who "squandered the window of opportunity" to resolve it.
The TSSA union also rejected the offer and general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "This dispute is not just about pay, but about how to run a safe and secure night Tube which serves the passengers as well as rewarding the staff."The TSSA union also rejected the offer and general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "This dispute is not just about pay, but about how to run a safe and secure night Tube which serves the passengers as well as rewarding the staff."
Talks are set to resume on Friday.Talks are set to resume on Friday.
Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a Commons motion expressing dismay at the "disgraceful" treatment of Tube workers.Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a Commons motion expressing dismay at the "disgraceful" treatment of Tube workers.
He has called on Mr Johnson to withdraw the "imposition" of night working.He has called on Mr Johnson to withdraw the "imposition" of night working.
The motion states uncontrolled and unmanaged night work can have a serious impact on the physical and mental health and well-being of staff as well as a detrimental impact on family and social life.The motion states uncontrolled and unmanaged night work can have a serious impact on the physical and mental health and well-being of staff as well as a detrimental impact on family and social life.
The ins and outs of the disputeThe ins and outs of the dispute