Power Failures Disrupt London Tube Services, Prompting Calls for Inquiry

London, UK — A widespread power failure on Monday afternoon caused major disruption across the London Underground, bringing parts of the network to a standstill and sparking renewed concern over the capital’s infrastructure resilience.

At 5:15 p.m. local time (16:15 GMT), the Bakerloo line was fully suspended, while key lines including the Jubilee, Elizabeth, and Piccadilly lines reported severe or minor delays, according to Transport for London (TfL).

The disruption followed a voltage dip caused by a transmission fault on the National Grid, which led to a brief loss of power on several parts of the Tube network.

TfL Responds: “Working to Restore Services”

TfL’s Chief Operating Officer Claire Mann confirmed the issue originated from an external power supply failure.

“Due to a brief interruption of the power supply to our network, several lines lost power for a short period earlier this afternoon,” Mann stated. “We are working hard to restore normal service across all affected lines as quickly as possible.”

National Grid: Fault Resolved Within Seconds

National Grid, which oversees the UK’s electricity transmission infrastructure, confirmed the issue stemmed from its high-voltage transmission network but claimed it was resolved within seconds.

“The fault did not interrupt supply from our network,” said a spokesperson. “However, a resulting voltage dip may have affected low-voltage distribution in the affected area.”

The incident also caused a small, contained fire, which was promptly brought under control.

TSSA Demands Full Inquiry

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), one of the major transport trade unions, has demanded a full investigation into the incident.

“Safety for all is key at this moment,” said TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust, “but in due course we will need a proper inquiry into what happened and the lessons to be learned.”

Recent Concerns Over Infrastructure Resilience

The incident follows a similar crisis in March, when a fire at an electrical substation forced Heathrow Airport to shut down for 18 hours, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers and exposing vulnerabilities in the city’s energy infrastructure.

With the London Tube serving millions of daily commuters, Monday’s disruption is expected to reignite discussions around transport and energy infrastructure resilience, particularly amid increased demand and urban expansion.

What Commuters Need to Know

TfL is advising commuters to check service updates regularly and consider alternative routes while repairs are underway. Refunds and travel assistance may be available for affected passengers.