A STRIKE by London underground workers has left millions of commuters facing massive disruption and having to endure journeys on gridlocked roads, with most central tube stations closed and crowded rail and bus services elsewhere in the capital.

    Transport for London (TfL) said it was running a limited service on eight of its 11 tube lines Monday and would open 60 percent of its stations across the network. But unions accused it of “dangerously exaggerating” the level of service available, leading people to expect to travel and causing overcrowding at stations.

    Most national rail services were running into the capital, although Southern remained disrupted by the effects of an overtime ban by train drivers. Clapham Junction, the nation’s busiest interchange on a normal day, was evacuated due to overcrowding as people looked for alternative ways to travel.

    Many more people were seen walking, as heavy traffic blocked major roads. There were long queues reported for buses and taxis, but progress was slow on roads. TfL said it had added 150 extra buses and hundreds of “travel ambassadors” to help people find alternative ways of getting around.

    The 24-hour tube strike started at 6 p.m. Sunday but is expected to cripple services until the end of Monday. Station staff in the RMT and TSSA unions walked out after last-minute talks aimed at limiting the impact of the industrial action ended unsuccessfully Sunday.(SD-Agencies)