Progress made over Tube dispute

A strike by thousands of Tube workers may be averted after progress was made in talks to resolve an employment row.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union threatened a three-day walk-out at Tube maintenance firm Metronet's plans to transfer staff to parent companies.

The union has now suspended a planned week-long overtime ban by 2,000 Tube engineers and further talks will be held on Tuesday.

A Metronet spokesman said it was good news for Tube users.

Earlier the RMT threatened to strike unless a breakthrough was reached by 1200 BST on Thursday.

Following the talks Mr Crow said: "We hope that we will now be able to move forward to an agreement, but in the meantime the three-day strike scheduled to start on 15 April remains in place."

Metronet said it would continue discussions with the RMT "to resolve this fully".