The Tube is set to shut down this evening as thousands of union members walk out in a strike over 800 job cuts.

Commuters face travel misery from 6.30pm as members of the RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) walk out for 24 hours.

Transport bosses have vowed to keep London moving and are rolling out up to 100 extra buses and river services to try and lessen the demand on other forms of public transport.

Overground trains, the DLR and tram are expected to run as normal and planned roadworks are being delayed or curtailed where possible.

Commuters who own bikes are being encouraged to ride to work on Monday morning.

Volunteers will be on hand at most tube stations to help other travellers plan their journeys.

This is the second walkout staged by the unions in recent weeks. During the first strike at the beginning of September, TfL managed to run a third of its normal services, carrying up to a million people.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: ""We are expending every effort to give people alternative ways of getting around - boosting river and bus services, holding back road works and encouraging people to cycle.

"This strike is pointless, and I hope that this time - when Londoners beat the strike once again - the RMT and TSSA leaderships will see sense and return to talks to avert further disruption."

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have said financial cuts mean safety and maintenance checks on brakes, are being carried out less frequently.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: "We have warned repeatedly that LU/TfL’s cuts plans are playing fast and loose with safety and will turn the tube into a death trap.

"It is a scandal that the London Mayor, Boris Johnson, and his transport officials have chosen to ignore those warnings and have failed to engage in serious talks with the unions on the issues at the heart of this current dispute."