London in gridlock as tube strikes bring city to standstill

Tube drivers belonging to the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) began the first 24-hour strike on Tuesday.

As a result, commuters looking to get to work have been left stranded with no service at all on certain lines and severe delays on others until midday.

However, other services, including the Elizabeth Line, the DLR, the London Overground and Trams will be operating business as usual.

Most buses across the capital are also running as normal, causing long queues outside for a number of services across the capital.

Commuters are warned that these services will be weighed down by those who, in normal circumstances, would use the Underground.

There is no service on the Piccadilly and Circle lines, while disruption is expected on the remainder of the tube lines.

Heavy disruption is expected on the Central, Metropolitan, Bakerloo, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Northern, Victoria, and Waterloo & City lines.

Disgruntled drivers are voicing objection to TfL's voluntary proposals to let train operators opt into a compressed four-day week, with three days off.

The RMT argues the four-day period is too long and poses a risk to safety due to driver fatigue.

While most drivers would see their working week reduced from 36 hours to 35 hours, the union wants a 32-hour four-day week.

They also want the same salary for three hours' less work.

TfL subsequently branded the four-day-long walkout as "completely unnecessary".

Meanwhile, another union, Aslef, said it was "surprised" the RMT was persisting with the industrial action.

A spokesman said: "It will be the first strike in the history of the trade union movement designed to stop people having a shorter working week and more time off."

Commuters will be hit with a double whammy on Friday when certain bus routes will be impacted by strikes as well.

Seven bus routes operated by Stagecoach from Bow Bus Garage are affected from 5am on Friday April 24 until 5am on Saturday April 25.