Strike ballot over Tube attacks

Tube drivers on the District line are to ballot for strike action in protest over the increasing number of missile attacks on trains by vandals.

One driver has already suffered glass in his eye after a brick was hurled through his windscreen.

Attacks on District line trains, which run overground for large sections, have risen by 50 per cent during the current year compared with the previous 12 months - from 60 incidents of missiles being hurled to 90.

The action - which would be continuing and not restricted to only 24 hours - would initially be aimed at preventing District line services from operating between Upminster and Barking, where the majority of attacks take place.

Trains could stop running on a key section from next month, leaving eight stations without a service. Particular problems could be caused at Barking, where many mainline train commuters change to the Tube. However, the disruption would spread along the entire line. Steve Grant, London district-secretary of Aslef, the train drivers' union, said: "Vandals are actually stockpiling bricks and paving slabs to hurl at trains. Unless something is done, and done now, a passenger or one of my members is going to be seriously injured or worse."

Mr Grant, a former Tube driver, accused LU chiefs of being "more concerned" about keeping the service running than with safety.

Official notification of the ballot will be lodged with LU this week.

Hundreds of drivers will take part and the union expects a majority to back the strike. Mr Grant warned if another driver is injured the action would spread to the rest of the line.

He said LU managers were not as effective in dealing with vandalism as local Transport for London (TfL) bus operators, which withdraw services if there is trouble.

An LU spokesman said: "The safety of passengers and staff is our top priority. No attack on LU staff or property is acceptable and we will always prosecute. But industrial action is not the solution to this issue. TfL has funded the recruitment of an extra 200 British Transport Police (BTP) officers for the Tube."