London Tube strike news LIVE: Piccadilly, Central lines hit as Khan brands action ‘extremely disappointing’

A 24-hour strike on five Tube lines is under way in London causing chaos for commuters, as Sadiq Khan branded the industrial action “extremely disappointing”.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are walking out in a dispute over new shift patterns.

The RMT walk-out shut the Piccadilly line – including no Tube services to and from Heathrow – and the central section of the Central line that serves Oxford Street and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

A limited service is running on all other lines. Transport for London said that by 9am it was running 58 per cent of normal services on the Tube. Passenger numbers were down by about 30 per cent on last Friday but bus journeys were up four per cent.

RMT said on Friday morning the strike was “rock solid with pickets out in force on all lines involved”.

Follow below for the latest updates

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That’s it for now

21:29 , Elly Blake

That’s it for Friday’s coverage of London’s tube strikes.

We’ll resume coverage tomorrow so visit The Standard website for the latest on the weekend strikes, as the Night Tube relaunch is affected by further walkouts on Saturday.

Night tube will relaunch tomorrow - TfL

19:47 , Elly Blake

Transport for London’s director of customer relations Nick Dent has said the Night Tube will relaunch tomorrow night.

However, he recommended that passengers check before travelling as “there may be a reduced level of service”.

He told the BBC: “We’re confident we’ll be running a Night Tube service on the Victoria and Central lines.

“It’s a very important milestone for London.”

Gig venue warns of disruption for The Courteeners gig

18:05 , Elly Blake

Brixton Academy has urged people attending a gig to check travel routes before attending.

The venue is hosting rock band The Courteeners on Friday evening.

But the nearest tube station, Brixton, is facing a disrupted service until 04.30am on Saturday due to the RMT walkout on the Victoria line.

The venue is accessible by several bus routes and via Northern line trains, which are also facing disruption.

More than half of normal tube services running - TfL

18:03 , Elly Blake

Transport for London have said more than half of their normal tube services are running, as some drivers strike for 24 hours in a row over night shifts.

Reports of maskless passengers on tubes which are running

17:58 , Elly Blake

Transport for London (TfL) is running a reduced service on the Northern, Jubilee and Victoria lines.

Some passengers have taken to social media to express their concern that, despite crammed conditions, some commuters on these services are not wearing face masks.

One person wrote: “Rush hour on tube strike day in a jam packed carriage where most people aren’t wearing masks”.

Another said: “Well the tube strike is absolutely compacting people in on the jubilee line and mask wearing seems to have been abandoned. Just as a new variant lands, big to everyone involved…”

Londoners taken to social media to vent frustrations

17:38 , Elly Blake

Londoners have taken to social media to vent their frustration over travel disruption caused as a result of the Tube strike.

Some joked that the strike, which coincided with Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, was a recipe for disaster.

One person said: “I’m on Oxford St during Black Friday and also a tube strike someone please airlift me out.”

Another said: “Damn remind me to never ever visit Oxford street during Black Friday and tube strikes. It was an actual mess”.

There is a reduced service on the Northern, Jubilee and Victoria lines. One person described the conditions on one such ride.

They said: “A tube crammed full of people due to strikes and considerably less than half are not wearing masks, fun times...”

Doctor raises concerns over ‘Botswana’ variant on strike day

15:03 , Laura Sharman

A GP raised concerns over Tube strike actions taking place while a mega mutated Covid variant is emerging.

Jamie Wallis said while he is sympathetic to Transport for London workers, the timing of the strike is “ill-judged” amid the potentially serious B.1.1.529 variant.

He told the Standard: “The strike will force lots of people from the Tube onto buses increasing the risk of close contact and the spread of Covid.

“As a GP, my first thought is always how this will affect my patients travelling to hospitals for appointments and treatment.

“Sitting on a packed bus where no one is wearing a mask isn’t where you want to be if you are having chemotherapy or are otherwise immunologically vulnerable.”

Piccadilly Circus station deserted on strike day

14:52 , Laura Sharman

Piccadilly Circus station appeared deserted this morning despite Black Friday sales hitting central London stores.

The Piccadilly line, which serves the area, is not running due to RMT strike action.

Tube strike chaos: Buses packed with school children and maskless commuters

14:50 , Laura Sharman

A mother of two described seeing a bus packed with maskless commuters among school children during strike action on Black Friday.

Susan Waller, 28, said: “We were packed in I even considered getting off to wait for the next bus but I would have been late for work.

“People need to wear masks they are losing the habit. If we want to save Christmas we should all wear them.”

14:47 , Laura Sharman

Cafe worker Carlotta Pironti, 22, said: “I had to come in early for a shift and had to get on a bus where there were a lot of people with no masks. It’s just not responsible.

“I thought it was required to travel. It’s going to cause another wave of Covid.”

Connor Paterson, 45, a builder said: “I managed to get a tube early this morning and it was awful. Too many people and too many not wearing masks. We are asking for trouble.”

Maskless commuters condemned on crowded trains during strike

14:46 , Laura Sharman

Londoners forced onto crowded Tubes and buses today condemned “selfish” commuters travelling without masks.

With Piccadilly line services crippled by the industrial action, many had to jump on buses to complete their journey or get to a functioning Tube service.

Many on the buses were maskless despite a new Covid variant from South Africa causing medics to raise the alarm.

Jason Suarez, 41, who works in property management was forced to take a bus from South Ealing station.

He said: “It’s unbelievable that people don’t wear masks especially on a day like today when we are crammed in together.

“I saw on the news about he new variant on South Africa. Some people are being so selfish by not masking up, it’s not a lot to ask.

“As for the strike, surely the tube workers understand that everything is not all about them and that we are still in a pandemic.”

Hammersmith and City line reports severe delays

14:04 , Laura Sharman

Londoners are facing severe delays on the Hammersmith and City line due to train cancellations on Black Friday.

Transport for London confirmed the update amid an RMT strike on the London Underground affecting five other lines.

Central line now running to Liverpool Street

13:51 , Laura Sharman

The Central line is now operating a shuttle service from Liverpool Street to Hainault and Epping.

Further Central line trains are running between White City and Ealing Broadway, Woodford and Hainault, and West Ruislip and North Acton.

There is no service on the rest of the line due to strike action by the RMT.

“Valid tickets being accepted on local buses, London Overground, DLR, and Network Rail,” Transport for London said.

All the possible strike dates

12:39 , Daniel Keane

Below are the list of dates that drivers are expected to strike unless an agreement is reached between the RMT and TfL.

4:30am 26 November – 04:29am 27 November (Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria)

8:30pm 27 November – 04:29am 28 November (Central & Victoria)

8:30pm 3 December – 04:29am 4 December (Central & Victoria) 8:3

0pm 4 December – 04:29am 5 December (Central & Victoria)

8:30pm 10 December – 04:29am 11 December (Central & Victoria)

8:30pm 11 December – 04:29am 12 December (Central & Victoria)

8:30pm 17 December – 04:29am 18 December (Central & Victoria)

04:30am 18 December – 04:29am 19 December (Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly & Victoria)

Strikes hit night workers badly, says Amy Lame

12:23 , Daniel Keane

Night czar Amy Lame has also had her say on the strikes.

She tweeted: “The Night Tube is a crucial mode of transport for those working at night or out enjoying all the capital has to offer.

“Alongside @SadiqKhan I urge the RMT to come back to the table for talks.”

Khan brands industrial action ‘unnecessary’

12:04 , Daniel Keane

Sadiq Khan has spoken out against Friday’s industrial action, branding it “unnecessary”.

He told the BBC: “It is causing widespread disruption for millions of Londoners and will also hit London’s retail, culture and hospitality at the worst possible time.

“It’s extremely disappointing that the RMT refused to attend talks yesterday with TfL to try to come to a resolution. I urge them to come back to the table.

“The Night Tube has an important part to play in our capital’s recovery and helps to improve safety for everyone, especially women and girls making their way home at night.”

Football fans face disruption

11:49 , Daniel Keane

Football fans travelling to watch the Premier League in the next six weeks could face severe disruption amid ongoing tube strikes.

Industrial action across the next six weeks and a planned five-hour 24-hour shutdown on December 18 could cause havoc for sports fans, it is feared.

Arsenal fans using the tube will rely on the Victoria or Piccadilly line, with drivers on those involved in the action.

Meanwhile, West Ham fans could face disruption amid cancellations to Central Line services which are used to get to the London Stadium near Stratford station.

My colleague Matt Verri has a full breakdown of which matches are at risk below.

Tube strikes: Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham fans face travel disruption

11:35 , Laura Sharman

“I’m worried we won’t make our appointment. It’s hard enough to get treatment as it is, what with waiting lists and pressure on the NHS,” the mum added.

Mum struggles to make daughter’s hospital appointment via Tube

11:10 , Laura Sharman

Piccadilly line commuters are being turned away from stations with one mother struggling to make her daughter’s hospital appointment.

A stream of people were being told “no service” by a station worker at South Ealing.

Tara Hughes, 20, said: “I have to take my five year old for a hospital appointment. This is so selfish of the tube drivers.”

Die-hard Steps fan jokes Tube strike is a ‘gay hate crime’

10:59 , Laura Sharman

A Steps superfan joked that strike action was a ‘gay hate crime’ as music lovers faced carnage heading to the 90s group reunion show at the O2 tonight.

Food and drink PR Alex Scripps is having to catch a boat or multiple trains plus a cable car to get to the arena due to a reduced Jubilee line service from strike action.

“Usually it would be a short train to London Bridge and mere moments on the Jubilee line,” said Alex, from Crystal Palace.

“Instead, I’m left with getting a 37min boat, or several trains and the emirate cable car. I can’t wait to see the price Uber whack on to their surge otherwise I’d get a taxi.

“For me, it is the worst timing imaginable. I never use the Jubilee line and the one day I want to, it’s down.

“The fact that it coincides with Black Friday, and the ongoing night tube closures right through the party seasons feels a bit irresponsible after so many campaigned for it to open back up again for safety reasons.”

Steps fans furious as Tube strike threatens concert plans

10:41 , Laura Sharman

Concertgoers waiting to see Steps perform at the O2 Arena will have to navigate London’s travel nightmare on Friday.

The stadium is served by a single London Underground station on the Jubilee line which is currently running a reduced service due to RMT strike action.

Passengers can expect busier trains than usual before alighting at North Greenwich for the O2.

Alternative routes include local bus services and the Emirates cable car which runs from Royal Victoria, with connections to the Docklands Light Railway.

A river boat service is also running and might help those wanting to avoid the chaos when crossing the city from the west.

Taxi services and parking is also available.

Frequent trains still running on Jubilee, Victoria and Northern lines

10:07 , Laura Sharman

Jubilee, Northern and Victoria lines are still running a frequent service despite less trains running due to strike action.

Tube passengers can expect one train every four minutes on the Victoria line while the Jubilee is running one every five minutes and the Northern is running one every seven minutes.

Circle line grapples with severe delays

09:57 , Laura Sharman

Severe delays are now reported on the Circle line due to train cancellations.

Tube strike branded ‘disgraceful’ as London tries to recover

09:53 , Laura Sharman

The Tube strike has hit London at a ‘critical moment’ as businesses try to recover from the pandemic in the lead up to Christmas, warns London First boss.

The group, founded by business leaders, has more than 175 members working to champion the city.

CEO John Dickie said: “The RMT going out on strike at such a critical moment in TfL’s funding negotiations is disgraceful.

“In the run-up to Christmas, as London’s businesses and Londoners try to recover from the pandemic, it is also self-indulgent.

“The RMT needs to get a grip: keeping London moving now is critical.”

Bus misery at Waterloo station

09:23 , Laura Sharman

Commuters queue for busses at Waterloo station where a limited service is running on the Jubilee and Northern lines due to strike action.

The Waterloo and City line remains closed while a good service is operating on the Bakerloo line.

London Underground boss insists strike is unnecessary

09:19 , Laura Sharman

Nick Dent, director of London Underground customer operations, said: “At such a pivotal time for the capital’s recovery, we are hugely disappointed that the RMT is threatening London with this unnecessary action.

“By making changes to Tube driver rosters we have provided greater flexibility for drivers as well as permanent work and job security, something welcomed by all other unions.”

Frustrated passengers turned away from Piccadilly line stations

09:14 , Laura Sharman

Piccadilly line stations were locked this morning with irate passengers being turned away.

Miles Chapman,22, works in publishing in central London.

“I’ve been enjoying going back to the office after the pandemic and this strike is stopping people going in. It’s very frustrating,” he said.

Leanne Smallman, 30, a retail worker, said: “I’m really cross now I have to get a bus and will be half an hour late.

“I think it’s terrible the tube workers are stopping the public going about their business over petty grievances.”

Patience wears thin as commuters dash for limited trains

09:08 , Laura Sharman

Tensions mounted on the London Underground this morning as passengers scrambled to make few and far between trains.

One commuter hit out at Pret for its “shoddy customer service” while waiting for their morning cuppa at Stratford were a limited service is running on Jubilee and Central lines.

“Shoddy customer service at Stratford this am. Barrista telling off customers for wanting a quicker service when told there’s a train to catch.

“He says ‘then you need to come earlier rather than rush me.’ Wow!! Never going there e again. #pret #customerexperience.”

Another said: “So the tube strike situation made getting into work a little stressful this morning. A whole three hours in a cab... gross.”

Londoners complain of delayed journeys in Tube strike

08:53 , Laura Sharman

Commuters complained of the ‘toxic’ strike action on the London Underground as they faced long delays.

Some told solid traffic on the roads and crawling along on buses while others said they had ‘no idea’ how to cross the city.

Many took to Twitter to criticise the strike action.

One person said: It’s disgusting. They earn more money than any of the British public services or frontline jobs. And yet again they strike and bringing chaos/financial difficulty to the whole of London. All because the don’t wanna work a night shift.”

Another tweeted: “Trying to get to work during a tube strike, haven’t done this for a while. Wish me luck!!!”

Transport Secretary urges union to “get services running"

08:28 , Laura Sharman

Grant Shapps told LBC: “I absolutely appeal to the unionsto not disrupt everyone’s lives. We have had enough disruption through coronavirus.

“This is a dispute between TfL, the workers there, and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, so I don’t have a direct role in it.

“I would just appeal for them to get round a table and get these services running. This is the last thing that Londoners need. I urge them to think again.”

In Pictures: Queues at London bus stations

08:12 , Laura Sharman

Passengers queued at bus stations as they sought alternative routes with five Tube lines affected by RMT strike action.

Commuters pack onto crowded buses in strike chaos

08:08 , Laura Sharman

Londoners were left to battle for breathing space on buses this morning as hundreds were forced to reroute due to Tube closures.

Passengers squeezed onto a 29 bus towards Trafalgar square on its way to more travel chaos at Finsbury Park where a reduced Victoria line service tries to alleviate the flow.

Piccadilly line opens reduced service as commuters take to the Tube

08:02 , Laura Sharman

The Piccadilly line is now operating a limited service after the entire network was shut down this morning due to strike action.

Transport for London confirmed trains are now running between Arnos Grove and Cockfosters around every eight minutes.

There remains no service on the rest of the line.

Tube strikes: Finsbury Park station

07:58 , Laura Sharman

Commuters crowded at a bus stop outside Finsbury Park station this morning as they sought alternative ways to get to work.

The London Underground station sits on the Piccadilly line which is entirely closed today due to strike action.

Platforms remained entirely empty with services not running in either direction in the early hours of Friday.

Tube strikes: Finsbury Park station

07:58 , Laura Sharman

Commuters crowded at a bus stop outside Finsbury Park station this morning as they sought alternative ways to get to work.

The London Underground station sits on the Piccadilly line which is entirely closed today due to strike action.

Platforms remained entirely empty with services not running in either direction in the early hours of Friday.

Confused commuters find Piccadilly line station completely closed off

07:54 , Laura Sharman

Turnpike Lane station was completely closed off to commuters this morning who approached the gates only to be redirected by a TfL employee.

One woman drew a sharp intake of breath as she was advised to take a bus to Kings Cross, change to the Circle line, get to Hammersmith station and change again to get to Ealing Common on the other end of the Piccadilly.

Nadia Petrescu, 46, said it added an hour to her journey to work as a cleaner and was having to phone her manager to let him know.

The TfL employee, who was looking for alternative routes on her phone and not “100 per cent sure” of the best route, retreated to the empty station before the next wave of passengers arrived.

Tube trains lined up at Stanmore this morning as Tube strike begins

07:41 , Laura Sharman

Tube union blames London Underground bosses for strike chaos

07:37 , Laura Sharman

RMT General Mick Lynch said Friday’s Tube strikes were “wholly avoidable” and blamed London Underground bosses for bulldozing through plans.

“This action was wholly avoidable if LU bosses hadn’t attempted to bulldoze through arrangements that abolished the Night Tube driver grade, lumping everyone into a central pool where they can be shunted about at will in a drive to cut costs,” he said.

“We remain available for talks.”

Strike action is ‘rock solid’ this morning

07:34 , Laura Sharman

Tube union RMT said that strike action is rock solid with pickets out in force on all affected lines.

Drivers are striking in a bid to stop night tube staffing plans.

Bosses say they remain available for talks.

How to avoid the Tube strike

07:21 , Laura Sharman

The Piccadilly and Waterloo and City lines remain suspended.

The Jubilee, Victoria and Northern lines are running a reduced service and trains are expected to be busier than usual.

The Central line is running shuttle services between White City and Ealing Broadway, Hainault and Liverpool Street, Leytonstone and Epping, Woodford and Hainault, and West Ruislip and North Acton. No service on the rest of the line.

Passengers are advised to take local buses, London Overground, DLR and Network rail trains where possible. Valid tickets are being accepted on these services.

Cycling and walking is advised where possible, with bicycle and e-scooter hire are available in many parts of the city.

Passengers travelling to Heathrow are advised to use TfL Rail services as an alternative to the Piccadilly line where possible.

Minor delays to Circle line

07:14 , Laura Sharman

The Circle line is currently experiencing minor delays as early morning commuters head to work.

Transport for London said this is due to train cancellations.

Commuters forced to reroute amid Piccadilly line closure

07:10 , Laura Sharman

The Piccadilly line was badly hit today with commuters being confronted with gated stations.

Northfields in West London was one of the stations left closed.

Costas Rico, 25, was heading to work at Heathrow but was forced to make other travel plans.

He said: “It’s ridiculous we are trying to recover economically from a pandemic and now this. It’s not right.”

What does RMT stand for?

07:05 , Laura Sharman

RMT refers to the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

The trade union is a democratic and highly sophisticated with more than 83,000 members from almost every sector of the transport industry.

Members include workers from mainline and underground railways, shipping and offshore, buses and road freight.

Why are Tube drivers striking?

07:01 , Laura Sharman

The dispute is over the night shifts that drivers are required to work to enable the restart of the Night Tube.

This service is due to resume overnight on Saturday night for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

The RMT says the rotas being imposed on Tube drivers would wreck their work-life balance by “bulldozing through additional night and weekend working”.

However, Transport for London says the changes have been agreed by other unions and would result in drivers working about four night shifts a year.

Is the Tube strike going ahead?

06:57 , Laura Sharman

Yes. The 24-hour Tube strike began early on Friday morning, affecting the Central, Northern, Piccadilly, Jubilee, Victoria, and Waterloo and City lines.

Union bosses confirmed on Thursday that strike action would take place, with the city braced for travel chaos.

RMT drivers were told not to clock on from 4.30am on Friday.

Tube strike Piccadilly line

06:53 , Laura Sharman

The entire Piccadilly line remains suspended due to strike action by the RMT.

Valid tickets will be accepted on buses and Network Rail services.

West End fears amid Black Friday strikes

06:51 , Laura Sharman

Bosses in the West End fear the Tube strike will wipeout a vital bounce back during the Black Friday bumper weekend.

Shops and restaurants were set for their busiest weekend since the start of the pandemic with huge crowds expected to pour into central London in search of discount deals.

But closures and delays to five key lines means hopes of a much-needed boost in revenue have been snuffed out at the worst possible time.

Tube strike Central line update

06:46 , Laura Sharman

The Central line has partly resumed with a shuttle service running between:

• White City and Ealing Broadway

• Hainault and Liverpool Street

• Leytonstone and Epping

• Woodford and Hainault

• West Ruislip and North Acton

There is no service on the rest of the line due to RMT strike action.

Valid tickets being accepted on local buses, London Overground, DLR and Network rail.

Tube status as London strike begins

06:43 , Laura Sharman

Central and Piccadilly lines: Suspended on Friday morning

Victoria, Northern, Jubilee, Waterloo and City lines: Special service, operating at reduced frequency

TfL said there will be “no service due to strike action by the RMT” on the Central line while valid tickets will be accepted on buses and Network Rail services.

Services on other lines are unaffected but journeys may be busier than usual.