Millions of commuters across London struggled to get to work today as a 24-hour strike by workers on the underground railway service crippled much of the network.
Passengers took to bikes, buses, walked, or made use of extra boat services on the River Thames in a bid to beat the stoppage, called in protest at 800 job cuts driven by austerity measures.
The London Chamber of Commerce estimates each day the underground is shut will cost the capital's economy £48 million (€57 million).
The Rail Maritime and Transport union said every underground line was suspended or running a skeleton service after "rock solid" support for the walkouts in protest at staffing cuts.
However, underground operator Transport for London (TFL) said almost 40 per cent of trains were running normally and contingency to limit the strike's impact were working.
Scores of people queued for buses and taxis and streets in London's financial district were snarled with traffic as heavy rain compounded commuters' problems.
Transport chiefs said additional bus services had been provided, along with extra capacity on river boat services, marshalled taxi ranks, and guided cycle rides.
Volunteers have also been stationed at bus, underground and rail stations to aid passengers and distribute walking maps.
The RMT said the job cuts were just "the tip of the iceberg" as the coalition government prepares 25 per cent spending cuts to tackle a record budget deficit.
Governments across Europe face labour unrest as they take unpopular measures to curb state spending.
Rail and air transport, schools and postal services were severely disrupted across France by strikes and demonstrations against plans to raise the retirement age to curb a swollen public deficit.
Britain, which had to bail out its giant financial sector, is planning the harshest austerity drive in decades, with pay, job and spending cuts and pension reform looming. Ministries have been ordered to make average cuts of about 25 per cent and told to suggest budget savings of up to 40 per cent.
Reuters