A Union Flag flies near an underground sign for Westminster tube station in London
A Union Flag flies near an underground sign for Westminster tube station in London March 31, 2009. REUTERS

Transport for London has downplayed the impact of a strike by the TSSA and RMT unions, which began last night and will end this evening.

TfL claimed that more than 40 per cent of trains are running, while seventy five per cent of stations are open for business. Despite this TfL added that travellers should check on the TfL website before embarking on their journey.

Last week TfL said it would be laying on 100 extra busses and 10,000 extra river journeys, as well as deploying marshalled taxi ranks to help commuters. Despite this central business areas, such as Canary Wharf, were noticeably less crowded than usual this morning as workers struggled to get into work.

Mike Brown, Managing Director of London Underground and London Rail, said, "Services are operating on virtually all lines this morning despite the pointless strike.

"We are doing everything we can to get as many Tube services as possible operating, and to keep Londoners on the move with extra buses, river services, and other alternatives."

Normal service is due to resume tomorrow.