London commuters and visitors are facing significant travel disruption as Underground drivers embark on a second day of strike action this week. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has confirmed that its members will walk out for 24 hours from midday on Tuesday 21 April, with a further strike scheduled for Thursday 23 April.
Strike Dates and Duration
The industrial action means the first strike will last from Tuesday into Wednesday, while the second will run from Thursday into Friday. Travellers should note that additional strikes are planned for May and June, extending the potential for ongoing disruption across the capital's transport network.
May Strike Dates
- Tuesday 19 to Wednesday 20 May
- Thursday 21 to Friday 22 May
June Strike Dates
- Tuesday 16 June to Wednesday 17 June
- Thursday 18 June to Friday 19 June
Service Disruption Timings
The planned strike action will take significant parts of the network out of service for half of two consecutive days, with each strike lasting from midday to midday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, travellers can expect normal service until mid-morning, when services will begin to wind down.
There will be significant disruption on all lines from midday, and lines that do operate will finish early. Transport for London (TfL) strongly recommends completing journeys by 8pm on strike days.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, Tube services that do run will begin later, with no service expected before 7.30am. Significant disruption is anticipated until midday, when normal service will begin to resume, though delays remain very likely throughout the day.
Affected Tube Lines
TfL has confirmed that strikes will affect the entire Tube network, though a reduced service will operate on most lines with substantial disruption expected. However, there will be no service on the following lines and sections:
- Piccadilly and Circle lines
- Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate
- Central line between White City and Liverpool Street
On Wednesday morning, the TfL website showed severe delays on multiple lines including the Bakerloo, Central, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern and Victoria lines.
Alternative Transport Options
Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days, though these services are likely to be extremely busy. Commuters are advised to plan alternative routes and allow extra time for their journeys.
Background to the Dispute
The RMT union has accused Transport for London of attempting to impose a new four-day working week without proper consultation. General secretary Eddie Dempsey expressed frustration over stalled negotiations, stating: "We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process, but despite our best efforts, TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions in a bid to avert strike action."
Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, defended the proposals, explaining that the four-day working week would allow the company to "offer train operators an additional day off, whilst at the same time bringing London Underground in line with the working patterns of other train operating companies, improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost."
She emphasised that the changes would be voluntary, with no reduction in contractual hours, and that those wishing to continue a five-day working week pattern would be able to do so.
As the dispute continues, travellers are urged to check the TfL website for the latest updates and plan their journeys carefully during the strike periods.
