London hit by rush hour Tube travel chaos as ‘faulty trains’ cause severe delays on District, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines
- ‘Faulty trains’ have caused severe delays on some TfL Tube lines this morning
- The District, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines are the worst affected
- In total there are five lines affected by delays or part closures in the capital
- Pictures show large lines of commuters caught up in the chaos during rush hour
Commuters in London were faced with chaos on the Tube this morning after multiple ‘faulty trains’ caused severe delays on the network.
People trying to use the District, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines faced long waits after issues in Barking, Moorgate and Finchley Road.
There were also minor delays on TfL Rail, while the Northern line is part closed.
It meant that five lines on London’s Tube network were left facing delays as commuters tried to get into work during rush hour.
Earlier in the morning the Circle line and DLR also faced minor delays.
There are reports of long delays on some tube lines as a result of ‘faulty trains’ this morning
Commuters using the District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines are all facing severe delays
The delays meant London Underground tickets for several routes were made valid on bus routes and some national rail services into the capital.
According to the TfL website multiple issues caused the delays.
It said a ‘faulty train at Barking’ is caused severe delays on the District line, while a ‘faulty train at Moorgate’ led to minor delays on the Circle line.
These two issues are caused severe delays on the Hammersmith & City lines.
At its peak, seven of London’s tube lines were affected by severe delays, minor delays or part closures this morning
People trying to use the District and Hammersmith & City lines were told their London Underground tickets would be accepted on London Buses and C2C services.
The Metropolitan Line was also severely delayed between Baker Street and Aldgate, with minor delays on the rest of the line due to a ‘faulty train at Finchley Road’.
London Underground tickets were being accepted on Chiltern Railway and London Buses as an alternative for this route.
There are also minor delays on TfL Rail between Paddington and Reading/Heathrow as work is done to fix a track fault at Paddington.
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) saw minor delays between Bank and Lewisham due to an ‘obstruction on the track at South Quay’.
Meanwhile, the Northern line remains closed between Moorgate and Kennington while upgrade works are undertaken at stations.
Commuters trying to make their in the capital were left frustrated with some taking to social media to vent.
On Twitter, @baztav wrote: ‘TfL you’re exceeding yourself this morning’.
@utdjags wrote: ‘The one day I need to use TfL Rail there are train delays. PDL.’
@SteveJones177 added: ‘Welcome to another fab morning on the London Tube. This is really going to get people back into the offices.’
Some commuters took to social media to voice their frustation at the delays as they tried to travel this morning
It comes ahead of a vote by members of Unite the Union on whether to hold strike action on London Underground services later this summer.
The union said workers for TfL have been told that the value of their pensions will be cut and a final salary scheme will end following a central government-demanded review in return for pandemic-recovery funding.
Commuters in London could face more tube chaos in summer with members of Unite the Union set to vote on whether to hold industrial action in a row over pensions
Unite regional officer Simon McCartney said: ‘Our members are dedicated to keeping London moving.
‘Now they are being told that they will be poorer in old age. This is an appalling way to treat a loyal and committed workforce.
‘Workers are balloting for industrial action as a last resort. Despite repeated calls to management there have been no guarantees on pensions or job cuts.
‘Strike action would inevitably cause severe disruption to public transport throughout London.’
If members vote in favour of industrial action when the ballot closes on May 26 the strikes could begin by mid-June
Unite’s members at TfL are spread across different parts of the organisation including Dial-a Ride, London Underground and Croydon trams.
The union said its members are also in dispute over pay and the threat of job losses.
The ballot will close on May 26. If members vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could begin by mid-June, although Unite said action is likely to be co-ordinated with other unions who also have members in TfL.