TRANSPORT bosses on the London Underground have drawn up contingency plans to keep the capital moving in the wake of the strike by thousands of RMT union members. The stoppage is set to last 48 hours until 6.58pm Thursday

By Mike Brooke

TRANSPORT bosses on the London Underground have drawn up contingency plans to keep the capital moving in the wake of the strike by thousands of RMT union members.

The 48-hour tube stoppage went ahead after lawyers for London Underground pulled the rug from under a deal which would have settled the dispute, the union claimed last night.

“We spent all afternoon and early evening at ACAS,” said the union’s General Secretary Bob Crow.

“We put together a deal which could have settled the dispute—only for London Underground to bring in lawyers at the last minute who the rug from under a workable agreement.”

WALK OUT

The walk-out officially began at one minute to 7 last night as commuters struggled to get home.

Drivers completed their journeys after the 7pm deadline—but new journeys weren’t started when the evening shift was due to report.

The stoppage is set to last 48 hours until 6.58pm Thursday. Normal services are expected to resume on Friday morning, said London Underground.

Tube bosses are urging passengers to check on the Transport for London website before travelling, to stagger journeys and consider alternatives including walking and cycling.”

CONTINGENCY PLANS

Contingency plans include extra buses, Oyster pay-as-you-go on all National Rail services in Greater London and free River shuttle services on the Thames.

BUSES: An extra 100 buses are being laid on for the morning rush-hour on key routes.

TAXIS: Fixed-fare shared’ service 8-8.30am for central London destinations at six main-line rail terminals at Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Waterloo, Euston, Paddington and Marylebone.

DLR and London Overground are operating as normal.

CYCLING: Five escorted routes into Central London setting off from 7.45am with TfL volunteers at start points giving out maps, refreshments and guidance.

From East London:

Mile End Green Bridge to Stepney Green, Cable Street, Tower Hill and Bank.

From North London:

Finsbury Park main gate to Arsenal, Liverpool Road, Angel, Moorgate, Mansion House, London Bridge and City Hall.

From West London:

Ravenscourt Park to Hammersmith, High Street Kensington, Hyde Park, Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square.

From South West London:

Brixton Road to Oval, Elephant & Castle and Blackfriars.

From North West London:

Swiss Cottage to Hampstead, Belsize Park, Chalk Farm, Mornington Crescent, Euston, Gower Street, Tavistock Place, Gray’s Inn Road, Clerkenwell, Farringdon and Moorgate.

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