London travel news LIVE: Train strike disruption to hit rush-hour tomorrow as Aslef walkout cripples network
Rail services on some of London’s busiest commuter routes have been brought to a standstill as drivers launch a fresh strike in a near two-year long pay dispute.
Members of Aslef at operators including those running services into the capital such as Southern, Southeastern and South Western Railway are walking out for the day.
Affected operators are running no trains on the vast majority of the network.
Strikes will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at different operators, while drivers are also banning overtime until Saturday which is also causing disruption.
Passengers are being urged to check before attempting to travel by train this week.
Operators hit by today’s strike include Greater Anglia, Thameslink and Southern (including Gatwick Express), Southeastern, South Western Railway, c2c and GTR’s Great Northern.
These strikes will likely impact services running tomorrow as well, with several operators warning they will not be able to immediately resume their usual timetable with disruption expected first thing.
It comes after traffic was brought to a standstill in both directions on the M25 near Epping due to a vehicle fire.
An air ambulance was at the scene of the van fire, on the clockwise carriageway around a mile from junction 27, about 12.45pm on Tuesday.
One lane has since-reopened but traffic is still moving slowly.
Follow the latest updates below...
Severe delays cleared
Tuesday 7 May 2024 18:26 , Tom Davidson
The earlier severe delays on on the Underground have been cleared.
Severe delays as we head into rush hour
Tuesday 7 May 2024 16:44 , Tom Davidson
Bad news - there are now severe delays on the Circle and District lines as we head into rush hour. TfL says it’s due to an earlier faulty train at South Kensington.
Tube update
Tuesday 7 May 2024 15:50 , Tom Davidson
Apart from the aforementioned minor delays on the Northern line, the rest of the Underground network is running smoothly this afternoon.
Congestion persists on M25 near Enfield
Tuesday 7 May 2024 15:07 , Jordan King
Traffic monitoring site Inrix is still reporting congestion on the M25, where one lane remains closed.
Minor delays to Northern line
Tuesday 7 May 2024 14:50 , Jordan King
Most Tube line delays have cleared up but there are still minor delays on the Northern line.
Essex Police on M25 fire:
Tuesday 7 May 2024 14:27 , Jordan King
A spokesperson said: “We were called to the M25 between junction 27 and junction 28 shortly after midday following reports of a vehicle fire.
“Officers assisted Essex Fire and Rescue with road closures and two people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries.The road remains partially closed.”
Lane re-opens on M25
Tuesday 7 May 2024 14:10 , Jordan King
One lane has re-opened on the M25, where a van caught fire between J27 M11 and J28 A12 (Brentwood / Brook Street Roundabout.
The clockwise lane is still closed and the anticlockwise is now flowing - but slowly.
M25 closure in pictures
Tuesday 7 May 2024 13:50 , Jordan King
#M25 is CLOSED in BOTH directions between J27 (M11 J6 / Epping) and J28 (Brentwood / Romford) due to a vehicle fire - We have no estimated re-open time yet - Latest @ https://t.co/GcD3ZuPiII pic.twitter.com/O2nJSFEVSF
— Motorway Cameras (@MotorwayCameras) May 7, 2024
No estimated re-open time for M25 yet
Tuesday 7 May 2024 13:49 , Jordan King
The M25 is closed in both directions between J27 (M11 J6 / Epping) and J28 (Brentwood / Romford) due to a vehicle fire.
Authorities do not yet know when lanes can be re-opened.
Blackwall Tunnel delays cleared up
Tuesday 7 May 2024 13:47 , Jordan King
The severe delays to drivers approaching Blackwall Tunnel have now cleared up.
Exit ramp to the M25 clockwise closed
Tuesday 7 May 2024 13:27 , Jordan King
The exit ramp to the M25 clockwise closed and queueing traffic due to vehicle fire on M11 both ways at J6 M25. Congestion to J7 Harlow southbound.
A van fire has closed the M25 clockwise. M11 traffic can only join anticlockwise.
Severe delays for 11 miles on M25
Tuesday 7 May 2024 13:12 , Jordan King
Road blocked and severe delays due to van fire on M25 both ways between J27 M11 and J28 A12 (Brentwood / Brook Street Roundabout).
The fire is on the clockwise side with a full closure. Also stopped anticlockwise for the Air Ambulance.
Man dies after Dartford Crossing incident
Tuesday 7 May 2024 12:59 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks
A man has sadly died after this morning’s incident at the Dartford Crossing.
Essex Police said: “Officers were called to the QEII bridge at around 9am this morning following a concern for welfare report.
“Emergency services were in attendance and sadly, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His family are aware.
“The bridge was fully closed and has since been re-opened.”
Circle Line part-suspended as person taken ill
Tuesday 7 May 2024 12:55 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks
There is currently no service on the Circle Line anticlockwise, says TfL, while it helps an person ill on a train at Bayswater.
Air ambulance at scene of M25 van fire
Tuesday 7 May 2024 12:53 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks
An air ambulance is now at the scene of the M25 van fire, according to traffic monitoring system Inrix.
It says traffic is now backing up for two miles on the clockwise carriageway.
Vehicle on fire on M25 brings traffic to standstill
Tuesday 7 May 2024 12:35 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks
All lanes are stopped and traffic is stationary in both directions on the M25 near Epping, due to a vehicle fire.
The incident is affecting the stretch of the motorway between junction 27 for the M11 and junction 28 for the A12 (Brentwood/Brook Street Roundabout).
The traffic also appears to be tailing back onto the M11, according to traffic monitoring system Inrix.
The vehicle fire is around a mile from junction 27.
Serious delays to Blackwall Tunnel
Tuesday 7 May 2024 12:00 , Jordan King
Traffic is slow on approach to the tunnel with delays towards Woolwich Road. Expect delays.
Serious delays on A13 in Newham
Tuesday 7 May 2024 11:59 , Jordan King
Traffic is slow on the A13 between The Blackwall tunnel and Woolwich Manor Way.
20-minute delays on M26
Tuesday 7 May 2024 11:56 , Jordan King
There are currently delays clockwise between J4 & J6 and on the M26 west between J2A & #M25 on approach to lane closures.
Expect approximately two miles of congestion and 20-minute delays above normal travel time.
90-minute delays near Dartford Bridge crossing
Tuesday 7 May 2024 11:25 , Jordan King
There are currently eight miles of congestion near the Dartford Bridge crossing - on the A282 southbound.
This means there are 90-minute delays on top of normal travel time.
This is because traffic was stopped earlier this morning, “due to a police-led incident”.
All lanes have re-opened but delays still remain.
All lanes have now reopened on the #A282 southbound #QEIIBridge #DartfordCrossing following a Police led incident.
There are 8 miles congestion following this incident causing 90 min delays above normal travel time. Please allow plenty of time for delays to clear. pic.twitter.com/DtwBKpZXo7— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) May 7, 2024
Minor delays to DLR
Tuesday 7 May 2024 11:18 , Jordan King
There are currently minor delays between Bank / Tower Gateway and Canary Wharf / Poplar due to an earlier customer incident at Limehouse - good service on the rest of the line.
In pictures:
Tuesday 7 May 2024 10:55 , Jordan King
Bakerloo line no longer delayed
Tuesday 7 May 2024 10:37 , Jordan King
The Bakerloo line has returned to running a good service.
Blackfriars station closed
Tuesday 7 May 2024 10:00 , Jordan King
Photos show that Blackfriars train station is shut as strikes have brought Thameslink trains to a halt - except a severely reduced service between Kings Cross and Luton, Luton Airport and Cambridge.
Metropolitan line delays now minor
Tuesday 7 May 2024 09:50 , Jordan King
There are currently minor delays between Moor Park and Amersham / Watford due to an earlier points failure at Rickmansworth.
Hammersmith and City line no longer suspended
Tuesday 7 May 2024 09:49 , Jordan King
The Hammersmith and City line was part suspended - between Liverpool Street and Barking - but it is only facing minor delays now - on the whole line.
District line no longer part suspended but severely delayed
Tuesday 7 May 2024 09:48 , Jordan King
There are severe delays across the whole line because of a faulty train at Plaistow.
Circle line delays back to minor
Tuesday 7 May 2024 09:47 , Jordan King
Circle line delays were severe but they are now minor again.
What has Aslef said about why they're striking?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 09:18 , Jordan King
The union has said: “We have negotiated pay deals with open access operators, freight operators and passenger operators in Wales and Scotland all whilst we have been in dispute with what is unfortunately a growing number of passenger operators, this has highlighted that this current dispute is one pushed by the Conservative Westminster Government as all of the employers who we are in dispute with are under the DfT's control.
“To resolve the dispute as it now involves multiple employers, the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) stepped in to handle negotiations on behalf of all the train operating companies. We negotiated in good faith with the RDG and believed a deal could have been reached. However, the offer that we received in April 2023 contained red lines which we had outlined to the RDG in our negotiations. This offer was made by the RDG with the intention of it being rejected.
“As requested in the offer, we informed the RDG that the offer had been rejected but they have refused to come back to the negotiating table which has left us with no choice but to continue with our industrial action.”
In pictures: Aslef strikers at Waterloo, Guildford and Orpington this morning:
Tuesday 7 May 2024 09:16 , Jordan King
Waterloo, Guildford and Orpington standing strong this morning #ASLEFStrike pic.twitter.com/VeVdaYb5Mt
— ASLEF (@ASLEFunion) May 7, 2024
What has the Department for Transport said?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 09:14 , Jordan King
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "The Transport Secretary and rail minister have already facilitated a pay offer that would take train drivers' average salaries up to £65,000 - almost twice the UK average salary.
"Aslef are the only union left striking after the Government oversaw deals with all the other unions.
"Instead of causing passengers disruption, they should put this offer to their members and work with industry to end this dispute."
What has the Rail Delivery Group said about today's strikes?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 09:14 , Jordan King
A spokesman for the RDG said: "The rail industry is working hard to keep trains running but it is likely that services on some lines will be affected on the evening before and morning after each strike between May 7 and May 9 because many trains will not be in the right depots to start services the following day.
"We can only apologise to our customers for this wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership which will sadly disrupt journeys once again.
"It will also inflict further damage on an industry that is receiving up to an additional £54 million a week in taxpayer cash to keep services running, following the Covid downturn."
At a glance: What you need to know about affected services today?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 09:12 , Jordan King
No Gatwick Express services
No Great Northern trains
No c2c trains
No Southern services - except a limited shuttle between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport
No Thameslink trains - except a limited shuttle stopping at Luton, Luton Airport Parkway and London St Pancras as well as a shuttle between London Kings Cross and Cambridge
Extremely limited South Western Railway service - only travel if absolutely necessary
Extremely limited Southeastern service - only travel if absolutely necessary
Reduced train service on Greater Anglia
Minor delays to Northern line
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:51 , Jordan King
There are currently minor delays due to a shortage of trains.
Severe delays to Metropolitan line
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:51 , Jordan King
The Metropolitan line was part suspended, but is now severely delayed between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham / Chesham / Watford / Uxbridge due to an earlier points failure at Rickmansworth.
Hammersmith and City line part suspended
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:50 , Jordan King
There is currently no service between Liverpool Street and Barking while TfL fixes a faulty train at Plaistow.
Circle line delays now severe
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:49 , Jordan King
There are currently severe delays due to an earlier faulty train at Edgware Road.
District line part suspended
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:43 , Jordan King
There is currently no service between Barking and Upminster while TfL fixes a faulty train at Plaistow.
How are Aslef strikes impacting Gatwick Express trains?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:20 , Jordan King
No Gatwick Express service will run today.
Southern trains will call additionally at Clapham Junction and East Croydon to help customers with their journey.
How are Aslef strikes impacting Southern trains?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:20 , Jordan King
A very limited service will be in operation between Gatwick and London Victoria only, operating between 5am and 11pm.
No other Southern services will run today.
How are Aslef strikes impacting Thameslink trains?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:19 , Jordan King
A very limited service will be in operation on the following routes only between 7am and 7pm:
Between London St Pancras International, Luton Airport Parkway and Luton only
Between London Kings Cross and Cambridge only
How are Aslef strikes impacting Great Northern trains?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:19 , Jordan King
No Great Northern services are operating today.
How are Aslef strikes impacting London Northwestern Railway trains?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:17 , Jordan King
Rail replacement buses will operate on the following routes:
Watford Junction - St Albans Abbey
Bletchley - Bedford
How are Aslef strikes impacting Greater Anglia and Stansted Express trains?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:16 , Jordan King
A reduced train service will run on the following routes:
Norwich / Colchester and London Liverpool Street
Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street
Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street
Cambridge and London Liverpool Street
No other Greater Anglia services will run on any route.
How are Aslef strikes impacting c2c trains?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:14 , Jordan King
No services operating.
How are Aslef strikes impacting Southeastern trains?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 08:14 , Jordan King
Most of Southeastern’s routes and stations are closed. There is an extremely limited service where trains are running.
The operator’s advice to customers is to only travel if absolutely necessary.
If you do travel, expect severe disruption, plan ahead and allow much more time for your journey.
Trains that are running could be extremely busy, they start later and finish early. You may be unable to board trains at some stations, and there could be queues.
No c2c trains today
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:30 , Jordan King
c2c is not running any trains today.
Industrial action 6 - 11 May: https://t.co/9kXVHfTwxP
There will be no c2c trains on the c2c route Tuesday 7 May.
A reduced service will be in place 6 and 8-11 May. pic.twitter.com/izYXUx0Fie— c2c Rail (@c2c_Rail) April 25, 2024
Greater Anglia: Reduced train service
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:29 , Jordan King
Check Greater Anglia’s timetable for updates on its reduced service today:
👋 Morning Everyone
❗ Industrial Action takes place today ❗ We will be running reduced train service
📨 Send us a DM/Tweet if you need any help and we will get back to you as soon as we can
All timetable and service updates here 👇— Greater Anglia (@greateranglia) May 7, 2024
Great Northern: No trains on majority of the network
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:28 , Jordan King
Great Northern trains are not running on the majority of the network.
📢 Industrial action
Today, 7 May: NO TRAINS, on the vast majority of the network
Tomorrow, 8 May (late start up) - 11 May: Amended timetable, fewer services
ℹ More information can be found here: https://t.co/xQGVwS3Qu0
📲 Check ahead, https://t.co/4pHXRwy13J pic.twitter.com/yF0Wl7cWt9— Great Northern (@GNRailUK) May 7, 2024
Southeastern Railway: Very limited service
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:27 , Jordan King
A very limited number of Southeastern trains are running today.
ℹ️ 7th May: Due to strike action, a very limited service is operating & most of our routes and stations are closed.
⚠Trains finish early and the last services are expected to be very busy
📲 Please only travel if absolutely necessary
🌐 Info: https://t.co/N991PKKQXO #RailStrike pic.twitter.com/7FMGIG1wZX— Southeastern (@Se_Railway) May 7, 2024
Thameslink: No trains
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:25 , Jordan King
Thameslink said no trains are running across the network.
📢 Industrial action
Today, 7 May: NO TRAINS, on the vast majority of the network
Tomorrow 8 May (late start up) - 11 May: Amended timetable, fewer services
ℹ More information can be found here: https://t.co/htMhatmctF
📲 Check ahead at https://t.co/yPM6PXYU17 pic.twitter.com/hxqnEyASNx— Thameslink (@TLRailUK) May 7, 2024
Southwestern Railway: Significantly reduced service
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:24 , Jordan King
Southwestern Railway is only able to run a significantly reduced service today.
⚠️ Industrial action by the ASLEF union will mean a reduced service between Monday 6 and Saturday 11 May
⚠️ On Tuesday 7 May full strike action will mean a significantly reduced service on a limited number of lines
⚠️ Read on to find out more pic.twitter.com/JOHvakmhkn— SWR Help (@SW_Help) April 30, 2024
Southern Railway: No trains on majority of network
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:23 , Jordan King
Asleft strikes mean Southern trains are unable to run today.
📢 Industrial action
Today, 7 May: NO TRAINS, on the vast majority of the network
Tomorrow, 8 May (late start up) - 10 May: Amended timetable, fewer services
11 May: Usual Saturday timetable (except for some engineering works)
📲 https://t.co/SSuFkYJWCt pic.twitter.com/hnzrx7sLRB— Southern (@SouthernRailUK) May 7, 2024
Gatwick Express: No trains on majority of network
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:22 , Jordan King
Aslef strikes mean there will be no trains running on the majority of the network.
📢 May Industrial action
Today, 6: Bank Holiday Monday timetable
Tomorrow, 7: NO TRAINS, on the vast majority of the network
8 - 10: No Gatwick Express service, please use Southern & Thameslink as alternatives
11: Usual Saturday timetable
📲 https://t.co/ZhLoG9U145 pic.twitter.com/8Xj9JuQz59— Gatwick Express (@GatwickExpress) May 6, 2024
Tram part suspended
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:07 , Jordan King
There is no service expected before 7am or after 6pm on the whole of the London Trams network.
Between 7am and 6pm, services will only operate between Wimbledon and Reeves Corner and between East Croydon and Beckenham Junction/New Addington.
There will be no service through Croydon town centre or to/from Elmers End all day.
Metropolitan line part suspended
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:04 , Jordan King
There is currently no service between Amersham / Chesham and Moor Park while TfL fixes a points failure at Rickmansworth and an earlier faulty train at Baker Street - good service on the rest of the line.
Minor delays to Hammersmith and City line
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:03 , Jordan King
There are currently minor delays between Liverpool Street and Barking while TfL fixes a faulty train at Plaistow - good service on the rest of the line.
Severe delays to District line
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:02 , Jordan King
There are currently severe delays between Tower Hill and Barking eastbound only, while TfL fixes a faulty train at Plaistow - good service on the rest of the line.
Minor delays to Circle line
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:02 , Jordan King
There are currently minor delays anticlockwise only due to train cancellations - good service clockwise.
Minor delays to Bakerloo line
Tuesday 7 May 2024 07:01 , Jordan King
There are currently minor delays due to train cancellations.
What lines are affected by strikes today?
Tuesday 7 May 2024 06:53 , Jordan King
c2c
Greater Anglia
GTR's Great Northern
Thameslink
Southern (including Gatwick Express)
Southeastern
South Western Railway.
Strikes hit Southern, Southeastern and South Western Railway today
Tuesday 7 May 2024 06:52 , Jordan King
Rail services on some of the busiest commuter routes in the country are at a standstill today - because of a fresh strike by drivers in a near two-year long pay dispute with Aslef members.
Passengers are being urged to check before attempting to travel by train this week.
Good morning
Tuesday 7 May 2024 06:51 , Jordan King
Good morning and welcome to The Evening Standard’s live travel blog.
Stay with us for updates throughout the day on getting around the capital.
