Commuters face another weekend of misery as more Tube strikes are planned to take place this weekend affecting both the Central and the Waterloo and City lines.
Members of the RMT union will walk out on the Central and the Waterloo & City line this Friday evening and both Tube lines are expected to be cancelled through the night and into Saturday day.
The cancelled Tube services may cause disruption to commuters Christmas plans as the closures will affect central London Tube stations.
This strike follows previous action by the union on November 7 that resulted in the closure of the same two lines for 24 hours.
When is the strike?
The strike will take place from 9pm on Friday, December 21 and will continue into Saturday until Midnight when the Central line will reopen for Saturday’s Night Tube service.
Which lines will be affected?
The Central line, London Underground’s busiest line, will not be running due to the strike.
The Waterloo & City line will also be affected. Services on both lines are due to stop on Friday evening.
This means there will be no night Tube service on these lines which may cause chaos for Christmas party-goers.
TfL expect that both lines will also be cancelled throughout Saturday day.
The Central line will resume service late Saturday evening for the Night Tube.
The Waterloo & City line should be running again on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24.
Which stations will be busier than usual?
Stations will be busier than usual along the Central line route especially on Saturday afternoon with stations situated around Christmas shopping areas such as Oxford Circus.
Commuters are advised to take note of the following stations that could be busier due to the strike action:
- Stratford
- Bond Street
- Tottenham Court Road
- Bank
- Liverpool Street
- Woodford
- Mile End
- Leytonstone
- White City
- Ealing Broadway
- Oxford Circus
- Notting Hill Gate
These stations may need to close temporarily throughout the day due to overcrowding.
Why are the strikes happening?
TFL claim the strike is based on a disagreement surrounding the dismissal of a driver who failed a drugs test.
RMT, the union that has called for the strike, state that the walk out is based on the “TfL’s failure to employ more staff” and the “victimisation of a trade union member”.
The union has accused London Underground management of “refusing to lift a finger” to make serious progress in talks.
In response Nick Dent, Director of Line Operations for London Underground called the festive period strikes as “totally unjustifiable.”
He said: “Safety is always our top priority and we will never waver from that.”
“I urge the union to call off this unwarranted action and spare Londoners needless disruption around Christmas.”
Mike Cash, RMT General Secretary said talks with TfL were at “breaking point.”
“There is a growing culture on London Underground that revolves around refusing to employ enough drivers, bullying staff and expecting our members to pick up the pieces when the service breaks down," he said.
“RMT members on the Central Line have made it clear that they have had enough and are prepared to stand up and fight for workplace respect and justice.”
Mr Cash called on Tube bosses to take the strikes seriously and engage in talks with the union to resolve the situation.
A further strike is planned for Boxing Day potentially disrupting commuters travelling for Christmas. According to TFL that strike will only affect the southern part of the Bakerloo line.
TfL Travel Ambassadors will be around stations to assist commuters with travel information during the strikes over the festive period.
Follow TFL on Twitter or visit the website for help planning journeys and updates on the services available.
