Thousands in rush-hour chaos as Tube staff walk out over ‘red light’ driver

THOUSANDS of commuters were suffering travel chaos today as drivers on one of London’s busiest Tube lines went on strike.

Passengers reported “nightmare” crowds on District line platforms as a result of the 24-hour walk-out by Aslef members who are backing a colleague moved to other duties for allegedly passing three red lights.

Transport for London said 40 of the line’s 70 trains were running this morning, with all stations being served.

Problems were worst on services to the outlying western and eastern branches of the line, which is used by more than 800,000 passengers a day.

The industrial action was sparked by union anger at the way managers dealt with a new driver who allegedly passed three signals in 11 weeks, two of which are said to have been passed “at danger”.

TfL said it was “simply not safe for this employee to continue in a role as a driver” and that he was offered another role.

But Aslef accused London Underground of not following agreed policies and procedures and claimed the driver was “forced” to change jobs.

Frustrated passengers voiced their fury at the latest walkout. James Wyatt, 23, from London, tweeted TfL and the union to say: “In what other job would a person be able to make three safety errors in as many months, remain employed, face no disciplinary action and still have the audacity to strike?”

Victoria Webbley also said on Twitter: “Driver ran three red signals in 11 weeks? Put passengers’ lives at risk. Gets moved to a different role (not even fired!) and leads to everyone striking on a Friday! So again commuters will suffer... for having their lives put at risk?”

Another disgruntled passenger said: “Thousands of people disrupted due to ignorant and arrogant #underground drivers defending a driver who continuously broke safety rules! Disgusting by @ASLEFunion and their members.”

Problems were expected to last throughout the day, with TfL advising passengers to use other routes. Aslef has refused to rule out more strikes and accuses LU of refusing to meet.

Nigel Holness, LU’s director of network operations, said the disagreement was “no cause for a dispute”.

“With so many incidents in a short space of time, despite several weeks of training and assistance, it was simply not safe for this employee to continue in a role as a driver.”

Finn Brennan, Aslef organiser on the Underground, said: “When management are intent on getting their way by threats and intimidation we need to take a strong stand to protect our agreements and ensure fair treatment at work.”