Night tube may be delayed as fresh talks begin to solve dispute

A row erupted today over the scheduled launch of Night Tube services in just 33 days’ time.

A postponement until the autumn was said to be on the cards as unions and Tube bosses went into talks at the conciliation service, Acas, this morning.

Transport for London did not completely rule out a delay, saying it was on course to meet the official date of September 12 but “not at any price”.

At the same time, Mayor Boris Johnson’s spokesman said he would not get into “a staring match” with unions over the exact timing, and wanted the services to start by the autumn.

Steve Griffiths, chief operating officer of London Underground, said there were no plans to delay at present. “We are working towards September 12 for the delivery of Night Tube and are operationally ready, but, as we have always said, this cannot be at any cost.

“We have made an extremely fair offer and, as we have shown already, we are prepared to be flexible to reshape it to best suit our staff. We are back at Acas today to meet with the union leaderships and are committed to positive engagement to reach a deal.”

But sources at London Underground have told the Standard that a delay is looking more likely and that alternative dates are being studied.

One said: “There is no deal in place yet to run night trains — there is still a huge amount of work to be done and the supposed opening is in little over four weeks’ time.

“It just isn’t going to happen. Other dates are now being considered. Everything hinges on a deal being done.”

London Underground is in a dispute with unions over extra pay for drivers and other employees. It has offered an above-inflation pay rise, cash bonuses and a pledge that no one will be asked to work more weekends in the transition. But unions say new rosters issued to staff will not be recognised.

The two sides met this morning for the first time since last week’s strike which halted the entire Underground network.