Power cuts hit Tube

Tube passengers suffered massive disruption today as a power supply problem crippled services across four lines.

London Underground took the gamble of halting trains and shutting down sections of lines in an attempt to restore the power in time for this evening's rush hour.

The power fault was on the track in the Euston area.

This led to the Metroplitan line being closed between Baker Street and Aldgate; the Hammersmith & City line between Edgware Road and Whitechapel, and the Circle line between Baker Street and Liverpool Street.

The number of trains was reduced on the District line between Earl's Court and Edgware Road.

Although only sections of line have been closed, this resulted in huge knock-on delays throughout the remainder of the routes.

Meanwhile, talks took place today in an effort to avert strikes on the Tube tomorrow and New Year's Eve. The unexpected negotiations came just hours after London Underground turned down an appeal from union leaders over sacked train
driver Chris Barrett.

The talks involved phone conversations between senior officers of the RMT union and LU directors. Neither side would comment or admit that peace moves were going on.

Mr Barrett was sacked for playing "competitive" squash while on sick leave with an injured ankle. The RMT wants him reinstated. LU refused to take the dispute to Acas, the conciliation service, saying it does not believe such a move would result in the dispute being resolved.

Today's talks raised hopes that the RMT would suspend the stoppages. Managers were placed on standby to issue posters at stations and make loudspeaker announcements in the event of the strikes being called off.