Massive delays on the Tube

Tube commuters face lengthy delays on the way home this evening because of a 15mph speed limit imposed on the busy Circle and District lines.

The Circle line was halted throughout the morning peak period and the District line suffered serious disruption. The two routes are used by more than one million passengers a day.

The problems began with a signal failure at Aldgate but then, more seriously, a collapsed drain was found on the tracks close to Temple station, used by Circle and District line trains. The Metropolitan line also suffered delays because of the earlier signal failure.

Engineers carried out emergency repairs to the drain, in which there was a five-foot hole close to the running rails. An LU spokeswoman said: "Repairs to the drain will be carried out when the service shuts down tonight. All services have resumed but are subject to a speed limit in the Temple area."

? Tube commuters today faced the threat of yet more strike action in a new row over pay. Union leaders have thrown out London Underground's two per cent pay offer. They want nearly three times what is on the table.

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