London Tube strikes LIVE: Severe disruption hits evening rush hour in second driver walkout of week

There remains huge disruption on the Elizabeth line towards Heathrow, due to a points failure at Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3.

Some lines are blocked, and trains running to and from Heathrow Airport may be cancelled or severely delayed by up to 50 minutes.

The Heathrow Express, which runs from Paddington to the airport, is also affected by the points failure.

TfL have advised those travelling to and from Heathrow to use South Western Railway services to and from Feltham station for London Bus connections to and from the airport.

A tree on the railway is blocking all lines between Charlton and Woolwich Dockyard.

Trains running between these stations will be cancelled, severely delayed or revised, with major disruption expected until around 3pm.

This is affecting Southeastern services between London Cannon Street and Slade Green & Dartford, and London Cannon Street circular services, as well as Thameslink between Luton and Rainham.

Travellers trying to get to and from Heathrow are facing severe disruption after a points failure at Heathrow.

There is no service between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport on the Elizabeth Line.

Separately, National Rail says the Heathrow Express, which runs from Paddington to the airport, is also affected by the points failure with major disruption expected until 2.30pm.

It is warning services may be cancelled or severely delayed by up to 50 minutes.

There is already no service on the Piccadilly line for those trying to reach the airport on it due to the Tube strike.

TfL are advising those travelling to and from Heathrow Airport, to use South Western Railway services to and from Feltham station for London Bus connections to and from the airport.

Here is the status of all major Tube lines as of 1pm:

• Bakerloo line: Severe delays due to signal failure at Paddington and the strike action
• Central line: No service between White City and Liverpool Street and minor delays on the rest of the line
• Circle line: No service on the entire line
• District line: Severe delays on the entire line
• Hammersmith & City line: Severe delays on the entire line
• Jubilee line: Good service on the entire line
• Metropolitan line: No service between Baker Street and Aldgate, severe delays between Harrow on the Hill and Watford and minor delays on the rest of the line
• Northern line: Minor delays between High Barnet and East Finchley and between Edgware and Golders Green, with severe delays on the rest of the line
• Piccadilly line: No service between Arnos Grove and Heathrow Airport / Uxbridge and severe delays between Cockfosters and Arnos Grove
• Victoria line: Minor delays on the entire line
• Waterloo and City line: No service on the entire line

In addition, the Elizabeth line is part suspended between Heathrow Terminals 4 and 5 and Hayes & Harlington

More Tube drivers have come to work on Thursday, the second day of the RMT strike this week, than on the first on Tuesday.

The gradual drift back to work of more drivers suggests that the industrial action by the RMT may not be as strongly supported as previous walkouts.

On Tuesday, just under 60% of drivers turned up to work, with the figure for Thursday expected to be a couple of percentage points higher.

In the April walkouts, the turnout rate was 57%.

Just over half of Tube drivers are members of the Aslef train drivers' union which is not on strike.

But more RMT drivers are also believed to be turning up for their shifts.

A Transport for London source told Evening Standard: "More Tube drivers came to work today than on Tuesday.

"There is less support for the strikes than previously.”

The strike is over reforms which the RMT has branded a "fake" four-day week.

However, Aslef is backing the voluntary four-day week which it has stressed offers drivers the best working conditions on the mainline rail network.

Those working from home today may be feeling glad they don’t have to pop out for a sandwich this lunchtime.

Heavy rain is now falling across the capital, with further storms expected later this afternoon.

Rain has stopped play at Lord’s in North London, where the England men’s cricket team are playing their first Test match of the summer against New Zealand.

O2's anonymised Motion data shows that footfall in some key London areas is down compared to a normal Thursday morning.

According to the data, the City is down by 9% , King's Cross by 12%, the West End by 5%, and Westminster by 11%.

A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said: “As Tube strikes continue across London, our mobility data shows footfall remains down across some of the city's busiest areas, including the City, Westminster and King's Cross.

"The data highlights the continued impact transport disruption can have on central London, with many people once again changing their usual routines and journeys."

Here is the status of all major Tube lines as of 11.30am:

• Bakerloo line: Severe delays between Queen's Park and Harrow & Wealdstone and minor delays between Queen's Park and Elephant & Castle.
• Central line: No service between White City and Liverpool Street and minor delays on the rest of the line
• Circle line: No service on the entire line
• District line: Severe delays on the entire line
• Hammersmith & City line: Minor delays on the entire line
• Jubilee line: Good service on the entire line
• Metropolitan line: No service between Baker Street and Aldgate and minor delays on the rest of the line
• Northern line: Minor delays between High Barnet and East Finchley and between Edgware and Golders Green, with severe delays on the rest of the line
• Piccadilly line: No service between Arnos Grove and Heathrow Airport / Uxbridge and severe delays on the rest of the line
• Victoria line: Minor delays on the entire line
• Waterloo and City line: No service on the entire line

After rush hour was busier than normal on the Elizabeth line, it is much quieter now as we approach lunchtime.

Service has improved on the Northern line.

There are now only minor delays between High Barnet and East Finchley and between Edgware and Golders Green.

There are still severe delays on the rest of the line.