Strikers outside the Barking bus depot

More than 60 bus workers in Barking are taking part in a 24-hour strike over Olympic pay bonuses today.

Strikers outside the Barking bus depot

Motorists tooted horns as striking workers cheered outside the Stagecoach bus station in Longbridge Road, Barking, this morning.

The strike is expected to cause travel disruption for commuters and tourists acorss London after talks to end the action broke down.

Three companies - Arriva, Metroline and London General - were granted an injunction in the High Court yesterday preventing Unite members they employ from going on strike.

Members of Unite at 17 bus companies are demanding a £500 payment for working during the Games.

Unite said the strike will see workers in more than 70 of the capital’s bus garages walk out.

The union blamed the disruption on the refusal by Transport for London (TfL) and the bus operators to negotiate a meaningful settlement.

It had been hoped that London Mayor Boris Johnson obtaining £8.3 million of funding from the Olympic Delivery Authority would avert the strike, but the move failed.