Commuters caught in Tube delay

Thousands of Tube commuters suffered long delays today when floods and a broken down train forced part of the network, used by three million a day, to be shut down.

Worst hit were passengers on the Bakerloo line which had to be closed between Piccadilly and Elephant & Castle stations due to flooding.

One of the pumps which operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, broke down and there was no replacement part immediately available.

It was hoped to reopen the line in time for this evening's journeys home. There were also delays on the Piccadilly line after a train broke down at Turnpike Lane station.