Tube strike commuter chaos expected

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Leaders of the RMT union met London Underground managers at the offices of the conciliation service Acas, but last-gasp talks to try to resolve the bitter row broke down.

Union members walked out at 7pm on Tuesday, starting a stoppage which is due to last for 48 hours.

Football fans look likely to struggle to get to Wembley for England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

The strike over pay, jobs and disciplinary issues, including the sacking of two drivers, is also expected to cost businesses tens of millions of pounds.

The union accused London Underground of "pulling the rug" from a proposed deal aimed at settling the dispute just a few minutes before the strike started.

RMT leader Bob Crow said: "RMT negotiators spent all afternoon and early evening at Acas putting together a deal which could have settled the dispute, only for London Underground to bring in lawyers at the last minute, who pulled the rug from under a workable agreement."

Transport for London urged people to check before they travel, to stagger their journeys and to consider alternative ways of getting to work such as walking and cycling.

Contingency plans were put in place, including extra buses, taxi-sharing at major rail stations and free river shuttle services.

Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy accused the union of walking out of the talks and urged RMT leaders to return to Acas. Progress had been made on all issues, including pay and the RMT's demand that two members of staff dismissed for "serious disciplinary offences" be reinstated, said Mr Hendy.