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Kent commuters can expect delays from mainline London stations as London Underground staff go on 24 hour strike

People travelling between Kent and London by train may face difficulties today during a halt to tube services from mainline London stations as part of a 24-hour strike.

The strike by London Underground workers started at 6pm yesterday after talks between unions and bosses collapsed.

Although National Rail services will not be affected by the strike there will be no underground services from key interchange stations such as Victoria, London Bridge, King’s Cross, Waterloo, Paddington, Euston and Bank.

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The Tube isn't always a place to make friends
The Tube isn't always a place to make friends

Members of the TSSA and RMT unions walked out yesterday in a long running dispute over job losses and ticket office closures.

Transport for London has warned there will be a "severely reduced" service, and most Zone 1 stations are likely to be closed throughout. Buses, roads and rail services are expected to be much busier than usual.

TfL have said they will try to run as many services as possible.

Piccadilly line services will still run between Hammersmith and Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 3, but there will be no service to Terminals 4 or 5. There will be no service at all on the Victoria or Waterloo and City lines, and all other lines would be severely affected with limited services in outer London.

For customers travelling to Canary Wharf from central London, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) services will be running, however they will be busier than usual. River services will also link central London and Canary Wharf.

Customers using the DLR are being advised that there may be changes to services towards Bank, with trains instead terminating at Shadwell or Tower Gateway.

TfL will be deploying Travel Ambassadors in order to help customers get around the city and around 150 extra buses will be put on as well as more river services.

Posters, digital boards and announcements in stations will keep people informed of the latest level of service and customers are advised to check services before they travel.

TfL has said it remains ready for further discussions with both unions in order to try to resolve the dispute, which centres around the ticket office closure programme that was completed in early 2016.

Steve Griffiths, Chief Operating Officer for London Underground, said: "There is no need to strike. We had always intended to review staffing levels and have had constructive discussions with the unions. We agree that we need more staff in our stations and have already started to recruit 150 extra staff.

"We encourage the unions to continue working with us on this process and we are available for talks at all times through the weekend in order to resolve this dispute."

A Southern Rail train. Stock picture.
A Southern Rail train. Stock picture.

Meanwhile, Kent commuters are being urged to car share this week ahead of another set of strikes on Southern Rail.

Members of the Aslef union will walk out tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday as part of their long running dispute over driver-only trains.

Services at Ashford and Tonbridge will be affected.

The train company's suggesting passengers sign up to Liftshare - a website where members can offer or request a lift to work.

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