London tube strike: How long will District Line strike last? How to get into work?
LONDON is set to be a hit by yet another tube strike this week which could cause delays across the network for commuters. How long will District Line strike last? How to get into work?
How long will District Line strike last?
As Friday the 13th approaches, the District Line is set for a 24-hour strike, bringing an unlucky start of the day to its travellers.
The impact in central London is expected to be minimal, but commuters should be prepared for delays and bigger crowds than usual.
Transport for London (TfL) is estimating the line will be operating at 60percent of its normal service.
And although no part of the line is set to be closed, services west of Earl’s Court and east of Tower Hill will have less regular service.
The strike will begin at 0.01am and continue until 11.59pm, so the District line should run as normal by Saturday morning.
How will I get into work?
The rest of London Underground (LU) is expected to run as normal, but the Circle Line is likely to be busier, especially between Gloucester Road and Tower Hill.
The 24-hour strike comes amid a row over the treatment of a driver who was involved in a number of safety incidents and was ‘reassigned’ to a job at a station.
The strike is coordinated by Aslef, the train driver’s union which has accused LU of ignoring requests for talks.
Aslef’s organiser on the London Underground, Finn Brennan, says that officials were ‘refusing to acknowledge they have failed to follow their own procedure instead of recognising the union’s concerns.
As the strike is only hours away, it is highly unlike it will be called off, but updates can be followed on the TfL tube strike webpage, (https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/tube-strike) along with the TfL Travel Alerts and District line Twitter accounts.
TfL said the driver had been involved in a number of safety incidents and agreed to an alternative role on the stations - but Aslef say the way the SPAD (Signals Passed At Danger) policy was applied was incorrect.
TfL said no disciplinary action had been threatened against the driver at the centre of the dispute.
A spokesman added: “A driver had a number of safety incidents in their first few months of driving and, in line with our agreed policies, was offered an alternative role on our stations which they agreed to.
“There is no cause for a dispute, and we call on the unions to continue working with us to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.”