COMMUTERS into London are bracing themselves for a tube strike which begins at 9pm this evening and will last until Wednesday night.

South Essex train operator c2c will lay on extra trains between 10am-2.30pm and 1pm-3pm tomorrow and Wednesday.

It can’t run extra trains during peak times, a spokesman said, because it already operates at full capacity at those times.

West Ham station may close as part of the strike, as it operated by London Underground staff – so c2c trains will not be able to call there if it does. The station is expected to be open until 11pm tonight, however.

Greater Anglia trains will not be calling at Stratford station until after 7am on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Central Line services are unlikely to run from the station.

A spokesman for the company said: “Both West Anglia and Metro services between Shenfield and London are also expected to be busier than usual, especially during the peak periods, with some alterations expected.

“Where possible customers are advised to vary their usual travel plans.”

For a full list of underground services which are likely to remain open during the strike visit: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/strike-advance-travel-advice-28-to-30-apr.pdf