By Ode Idoko, London, UK
Transport for London (TfL) has admonished Londoners to stay at home if they have nothing urgent to do outside their homes from June 21, 2022 as thousands of rail workers plan to down tools in separate tube and rail strikes.
In a release signed by its chief operating officer, Andy Lord., TfL said there would be severe disruptions across the Tube networks.
The industrial action will coincide with the national rail strike called by National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) for 21, 23 June 21, 23 and 25 after Network Rail planned to axe 2,500 maintenance jobs.
“The action on 21 June, taking place at the same time as the national rail strike, will have severe impacts on the London Underground network, resulting in very little to no service on all lines,” Lord pointed out.
The tube walkout comes as part of two separate disputes. RMT members working for London Underground have cited a dispute over pensions and job losses as the main reason behind the strike.
TfL stressed that no one will lose their job as the public body complies with previous government funding, which require TfL to be financially sustainable in its operations by April 2023.
The Tube and national rail strikes take place on Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25.
Services which are running, including buses and Docklands Light Railway (DLR), are likely to be extremely busy with queues to board. Customers using DLR services from stations also served by the Tube are advised to check before they travel due to possible station closures.
Disruption on all Tube lines will continue through the morning of Wednesday June 22 and no London Underground services are expected to run before 08:00.
Customers are therefore urged to avoid making journeys until mid-morning.
Strike action is also taking place across national rail services on Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25 June. There will be a reduced service on the Elizabeth line and London Overground due to the strike, as these services share some track and assets.
London Overground will only run from 07:30 until 18:30 on each day. Services that do run are expected to be very busy and may not be able to stop at all stations.
On Thursday 23 and Saturday 25, TfL said they would run as much of their network as possible, but disruption is expected on the following sections of line Bakerloo line – Queens Park to Harrow & Wealdstone, London Overground, District line – Richmond and Wimbledon branches, Waterloo & City line and Elizabeth line.
According to the release, disruptions on lines affected by Network Rail strike actions will continue into Friday 24 and Sunday 26 June.
