Tube services crippled by fresh strike

London Underground services were crippled today because of a strike by workers in protest at job cuts, causing misery for commuters and other travellers.

All 11 of the capital’s Tube lines were hit by the walkout, the latest in a wave of industrial unrest causing increasing concern among business groups and politicians in the capital.

Transport for London said more than 40% of Tube trains were operating this morning, despite the strike by thousands of members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association.

But the unions said disruption to services was worse than during two previous strikes, claiming that LU was running “ghost trains” through closed stations.

Picket lines were mounted at more than 100 stations and depots, with the unions warning that a fourth strike will go ahead at the end of the month unless the row over jobs is resolved.

Despite the strike, the conciliation service Acas announced that fresh talks will be held on Thursday in a bid to resolve the dispute.

The unions are protesting at plans to axe 800 mainly ticket office jobs, although they claim the number is set to rise to almost 2,000.