Dozens of London bus routes have ground to a halt due to a major strike. Unite says more than 1,500 Arriva North drivers are taking industrial action today and tomorrow, in a dispute over conditions amid a successive of summer heatwaves. A total of 43 routes are affected by the strike.
Meanwhile, London train services are facing major disruption following a serious derailment. Two people are being treated for “severe” injuries after a Southern train from London Victoria to Eastbourne carrying 150 people derailed in East Sussex yesterday afternoon. Damage to overhead electric wires between London St Pancras International and Bedford is causing major disruption to Thameslink and East Midlands Railway services.
Bus strike details
The bus strikes in north London involve Unite members employed by Arriva London North. Walkouts are affecting garages at Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green. Bus drivers are striking over working conditions during hot weather, with reports of cabs reaching up to 40C during a heatwave.
Arriva has said the hot weather has created complex challenges across the city’s bus network, but reiterated that the wellbeing of staff and passengers is its top priority. The union states that current air cooling systems merely push around hot outside air, turning cabs into dangerous "greenhouses". Workers are demanding that employer Arriva retrofits all affected vehicles with proper, functioning air conditioning to prevent heat exhaustion and protect safety.
Routes affected and advice
Bus routes affected by the strike are: 19, 29, 34, 41, 66, 67, 76 (24hour), 102 (24hour), 103, 121, 141, 149 (24hour), 150, 158 (24hour), 175, 191, 192, 217, 221, 243 (24hour), 248, 254, 259, 279, 307, 313, 329, 341 (24hour), 349, 370, 375, 377, 616 (term time only), 675 (term time only), N19, N29, N41, N279, SL1, SL2, W3, W4 and W6. Affected night services will operate as normal, on the nights before strike action starts. Customers can check the latest service information using the TfL Go app.
Strike action is scheduled to take place on 26 dates from August to October, including between 04:00 14 August and 04:30 15 August, and further dates through to October.
Train disruption and investigation
A signalling system fault between Streatham Common and Selhurst is causing disruption to rail services this morning. The fault means fewer trains are able to run through the area, with passengers warned that services may be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 20 minutes. The disruption is affecting a wide range of routes across south London, including services between Watford Junction and East Croydon, as well as trains from London Bridge towards Selhurst and East Croydon. The disruption is currently expected to continue until 12pm.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is at the scene in Lewes where the derailment took place. Richard Bowker, former chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme that investigators will be looking at things like the condition of the track and the effects of heat. Network Rail has given no timetable for when the railway can "safely reopen", with Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail route director for Sussex, saying: "This is an evolving and complex situation. We will provide updates as soon as we have a clear understanding of the recovery work required and when the railway can safely reopen."
