As well as the beginning of fresh Southern rail strikes , the Underground has been hit by two major delays this morning (Tuesday December 13).

There will be no Southern Rail services on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week (December 13, 14 and 16) due to a strike by drivers.

The RMT is currently embroiled in a bitter dispute over the role of conductors, while ASLEF is opposed to GTR's plans to further roll out "driver-only operated" train services.

As well as the now ongoing severe delays on the Piccadilly line, the Victoria line also reporting severe delays this morning, which is expected to last into the afternoon.

On the Transport for London website, it states for the Victoria line: "Severe Delays due to a signal failure at Brixton.

"Your tickets will be accepted on the local buses and Southeastern, Great Northern and Overground train services."

The Piccadilly line remains blighted by repair works being carried out on its trains.

Southern has warned “You should not attempt to travel” during the strike actions and to expect severely reduced and disrupted services every day while this action is in place.

What dates are strikes over Christmas?

There are a total of nine days of strike action planned between December 13 and January 14 as both drivers and conductors walk out.

Strikes will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week as both ASLEF and RMT drivers take action.

The following week there is action on Monday December 19 to Tuesday December 20 as conductors who are members of the RMT union also walk out.

This strike has been changed from its original date of December 22 to 24, which would have caused chaos as people travel during the Christmas period.

On New Year's Eve (December 31) through to Monday January 2, RMT conductors will be striking again which will cause problems to anyone travelling for New Year celebrations.

The final series of strikes takes place on Monday January 9 for six days to Saturday January 14 as both ASLEF and RMT drivers walk out.

Why are the strikes taking place?

The ASLEF strikes are taking place to protest the introduction of drive-only operated routes across the Souther franchise services.

Drive-only operation means the train is operated by the driver alone without a conductor.

The driver must be able to see the whole train to ensure doors are closed and the train is safe and ready to depart.

This can include use of CCTV systems or mirrors.

ASLEF, the train drivers' union, has argued the system is unsafe and gives the driver just two seconds to check 24 sets of doors.

However, Southern said there is no evidence driver-only operation is unsafe.

RMT strikes are also about driver-only operation as it tries to ensure guards are able to keep their jobs while arguing their role is “safety critical”.

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