'Unsafe trains' row hits Tube travellers

Commuters were hit by travel chaos today because of a row over safety on London Underground.

The Circle and Hammersmith and City lines were suspended and the District line was partially suspended after drivers refused to take out trains, claiming problems with the braking system.

London Underground insisted the trains were safe and set up talks with the drivers' union Aslef to try to resolve the dispute.

A spokesman for Transport for London said: "We are always prepared to sit down and discuss safety issues with the unions.

"However, the trains at the centre of this dispute have been operating safely for 25 years without any incidents of this nature.

"There is no reason why disruption to the public should continue while we sit down and address the union's concerns."