London Underground workers are staging two 48-hour Tube strikes in February. Here’s your handy guide to everything you need to know about it in Barking and Dagenham.
When is the Tube strike?
Transport for London say Tubes will be affected from 9.30pm on Tuesday February 4 until the morning of Friday, February 7. They don’t know exactly when disruption will end.
The second one is from 9.30pm on Tuesday February 11 to the morning of Friday, February 14.
Are there any Tubes running during the strike in Barking and Dagenham?
Yes, though with a severely reduced service, and TfL have advised passengers to check before they travel.
They are as follows:
District Line
Trains between Upminster and Wimbledon will run about every eight minutes in both directions.
However they will not stop at Dagenham East, Dagenham Heathway or Upney stations.
Hammersmith and City Line
Trains will only run between Hammersmith and Moorgate around every ten minutes in both directions. You will not be able to get to or from Barking using this line.
What plans are in place?
More than 100 extra buses will run on key routes, and trained “ambassadors” will be on hand at stations — including bus stations — to provide travel information. River services will also be increased, particularly at peak times.
Is it just the Underground that’s affected?
Only Tube services — that is those operating under the red and blue roundel — will be disrupted, though TfL expects there to be some small problems at Overground and DLR Tube interchanges like Stratford, for example.
There is also a separate strike, staged by union Aslef, taking place on south London Tramlink services on February 5.
Why are the strikes taking place?
Unions the RMT and the TSSA are opposed to TfL plans to close 260 ticket offices, costing potentially 1,000 jobs, as part of its modernisation project, which will also see some Tubes running throughout the night at weekends by the end of 2015.
Will the strikes definitely happen?
No, talks between Tube bosses and union officials are ongoing, so an agreement could still be reached.
What the two sides say:
London Underground managing director Mike Brown: “In future, there will be more staff in ticket halls and on platforms to help customers buy the right ticket, plan their journeys and to keep them safe and secure.
“We’re committed to implement these changes without compulsory redundancies and there’ll be a job for everyone at LU who wants to work for us and be flexible.
“I urge the leaderships of the RMT and TSSA to work with us to help shape the future of the Tube, rather than threatening Londoners with unnecessary disruption.
“All a strike will achieve is lose those who take part four days’ pay.
“Should the strike go ahead, we’ll do all we can to keep our customers informed and ensure we keep London moving and open for business.”
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes: “It is now time for Boris to sit down with his staff representatives and negotiate a sensible deal which will protect the safety and security of the travelling public as well as the long term interests of our members.
“We think he is too ready to gamble with safety by abolishing permanent station supervisors in this closure plan, a plan which stands on its head his promise in 2008 to keep open every ticket office.”
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