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Tube strike 8-9 July: What you need to know Tube strike 8-9 July: What you need to know
(about 3 hours later)
As London braces itself for a 27-hour stoppage by Tube staff, here's the lowdown on what you need to know to make it home. As a 27-hour Tube strike is under way in London, here's the lowdown on what you need to know to get around.
Is tonight's Tube strike still happening? How long will it last?
Yes, it's going ahead barring any last-minute talks - but there are none planned at the moment. The Tube strike began at 18:30 BST on Wednesday and is due to end at 21:30 on Thursday.
What time does it start? How bad is the disruption?
18:30 BST - but commuters are advised to travel well before that time because services will be extremely busy between 16:00 and 18:00. Considerable. Transport for London (TfL) says there'll be no Tube service from late afternoon on Wednesday and no Tube service at all on Thursday.
Which lines will it affect? Tube stations across the capital are closed so are best avoided.
Which lines does it affect?
All Tube lines.All Tube lines.
First Great Western (FGW) services to and from Paddington are also likely to be disrupted because of a 48-hour strike by RMT members, also from 18:30 and running until services begin on Saturday.First Great Western (FGW) services to and from Paddington are also likely to be disrupted because of a 48-hour strike by RMT members, also from 18:30 and running until services begin on Saturday.
Cricket fans heading to Cardiff for the first Ashes test are likely to be affected - FGW recommends alternative travel arrangements if possible.Cricket fans heading to Cardiff for the first Ashes test are likely to be affected - FGW recommends alternative travel arrangements if possible.
Will any lines be running? Are any lines running?
London Overground, DLR, Transport for London Rail and trams will all operate a normal service. London Overground, DLR, Transport for London Rail and trams are all operating a normal service.
How bad will disruption be? How should I travel?
Considerable. Transport for London (TfL) says there'll be no Tube service from late afternoon on Wednesday and no Tube service at all on Thursday. Disruption is expected to last, in all, 36 hours from the start of the action.
Tube stations across the capital will be closed so are best avoided.
How will I travel?
Buses or walking look like your best bet.Buses or walking look like your best bet.
Below is a walking map of central London showing the walking time, in minutes, between stops. Fortunately for commuters, Thursday's weather looks set to be sunny and dry, with a high of 23C - though this evening could be a bit chilly. Below is a walking map of central London showing the walking time, in minutes, between stops. Fortunately for commuters, Thursday's weather looks set to be sunny and dry, with a high of 23C - though Wednesday evening could be a bit chilly.
Extra buses are also running. Here's a map of the key bus routes you might need.Extra buses are also running. Here's a map of the key bus routes you might need.
Roads are likely to be much busier than usual though, so make sure you leave plenty of extra time or travel outside rush hour.Roads are likely to be much busier than usual though, so make sure you leave plenty of extra time or travel outside rush hour.
National rail services are running as normal and some coach services will run more regularly on many London routes during the strike.National rail services are running as normal and some coach services will run more regularly on many London routes during the strike.
Extra river services are also due to run, and extra bikes will be available to hire.Extra river services are also due to run, and extra bikes will be available to hire.
But bear in mind all of these services will be much more busy than usual.But bear in mind all of these services will be much more busy than usual.
What about getting to airports?What about getting to airports?
It's likely to be harder to get to Heathrow as the Piccadilly line will not be running. It's likely to be harder to get to Heathrow as the Piccadilly line is not running.
But the Heathrow Express is still operating, and there are extra coach services being put on to take passengers to the airport from Victoria Coach Station.But the Heathrow Express is still operating, and there are extra coach services being put on to take passengers to the airport from Victoria Coach Station.
Rail services to Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports are all running as normal.Rail services to Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports are all running as normal.
When will it end?
The Tube strike is due to end at 21:30 on Thursday, meanwhile the affected FGW services will not resume until Saturday morning.
So why is this happening?So why is this happening?
The strike - lasting a total of 27 hours - was called after London Underground and various unions failed to agree a pay deal over new night Tube services. The strike was called after London Underground and various unions failed to agree a pay deal over new night Tube services.
The First Great Western action relates to job losses and maintenance of new Hitachi trains.The First Great Western action relates to job losses and maintenance of new Hitachi trains.
Can I get a refund?Can I get a refund?
The short answer is no.The short answer is no.
This is because TfL says strike action is something that is beyond its control so no refunds for journeys delayed or cancelled will be on offer.This is because TfL says strike action is something that is beyond its control so no refunds for journeys delayed or cancelled will be on offer.
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