3.05pm: Central line now operating between White City & Leytonstone. In central London most stations open & services running. From twitter.com/TfLofficial

11am: As if things couldn't get worse - an overground train has broken down near Streatham station.

9.40am: London Underground claims 75% of Tube stations are open this morning despite a union strike.

RMT and TSSA unions are striking, but around 75 per cent of Tube stations are currently open, and trains are operating on eight of London Underground’s eleven lines.

Over 30 per cent of services are operating, with work underway to operate more services as soon as possible, TfL said.

All of London’s key stations are operating, including Euston, Waterloo, Clapham North, Heathrow, Kings Cross, Finsbury Park, Paddington, Earl’s Court, and Whitechapel.

Ahead of the strike, TSSA union Gerry Doherty leader predicted that London would be 'paralysed' by the action.

This prediction has not been borne out, with services currently operating as follows:

· A good service is operating on the Northern line, although some stations are currently closed
· The Bakerloo line is operating between Queen's Park and Elephant & Castle
· The Victoria line is operating between Seven Sisters and Brixton
· The Jubilee line is operating between Wembley Park and Stratford, with some stations currently closed.
· The District line is operating between Wimbledon/Ealing Broadway in the west and Barking in the east
· On The Metropolitan line, trains are operating between Amersham/Uxbridge and Baker Street with some stations closed.
· The Piccadilly line is operating a service between Acton Town and Heathrow 123
· The Hammersmith & City line is operating between Shepherd’s Bush Market and Baker Street
· LU are working to establish a service on the Central line.

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The situation is changing rapidly, with other Tube services operating services when possible. Disruption is possible, and passengers are advised to check before travelling at www.tfl.gov.uk

Good services are operating on the bus network, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and London Overground.

Extra bus services have been provided, along with extra capacity for an additional 10,000 journeys on river services and marshalled taxi ranks.

Volunteers are on hand at bus, Tube, and rail stations to help passengers and distribute walking maps and other useful information.

Howard Collins, Chief Operating Officer of London Underground, said: “We are doing everything to run as many Tube services as possible and, although Londoners will doubtless face some disruption getting to work, 75 per cent of stations are open and 30 per cent of Tube trains are running. The paralysis of London predicted by the leadership of two unions has failed to materialise.

“It is incredible that the two union leaderships have pursued this action when they have been given cast-iron assurances that the staffing changes we are making come with no compulsory redundancies or loss of earnings, that every station that currently has a ticket office will retain one, and that every station will remain staffed at all times. They should now see sense, and call off this pointless strike.”

7am: The Tube shut down last night as thousands of union members walked out in a strike over 800 job cuts.

Commuters face travel misery this morning as members of the RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) started a 24-hour strike at 6.30pm last night.

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.

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Meanwhile, 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."

Keep checking back to www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk for updates throughout the day - and email us with your stories