More than 1,500 bus drivers employed by Arriva North London began industrial action at 04:00 on Friday, 13 August, entering a period of strikes the union says will total 26 days unless the company addresses concerns over working conditions during extreme heat.
Who is involved and how long the action will run
The walkout involves drivers represented by Unite from eight Arriva garages across north and east London: Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green. The current spell of action started at 4am on Friday and is scheduled to run until 04:30 on Saturday 15 August.
Services hit
Passengers should expect disruption on a wide range of routes serving north and some central London corridors. Affected routes include services that run through boroughs from Barking and Wood Green towards central hubs and late‑night N‑services.
- Day routes affected include: 19, 29, 34, 41, 66, 67, 76, 102, 103, 121, 141, 149, 150, 158, 175, 191, 192, 217, 221, 243, 248, 254, 259, 279, 307, 313, 329, 341, 349, 370, 375, 377, 616, 675, SL1, SL2, W3, W4 and W6.
- Night services cited include: N19, N29, N41 and N279.
Transport for London has warned commuters that local routes in north and some central London areas will be affected, though it says the majority of the city's bus network will continue to operate.
Union demands and health concerns
Unite says drivers are escalating action because Arriva North London has not acted to remedy the hazards posed by working in extreme temperatures. The union highlights that many buses are fitted with air cooling systems rather than full air conditioning, leaving drivers' cabs susceptible to very high temperatures during heatwaves.
“No worker should be made ill by their job. This problem is raised year after year and as the summers get hotter it can no longer be swept under the carpet,”
The quote above is from Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, who said the union wants Arriva to fit all buses with effective air conditioning so drivers are not exposed to potentially dangerous conditions. Unite warns that cab temperatures can exceed 40°C and lead to health problems including heatstroke, exhaustion, fatigue, dehydration and dizziness.
Wider disruption and timing with Tube works
Unite has indicated that planned strikes in August and September are expected to coincide with closures on the Piccadilly line, a combination that could produce significant disruption and cancellations for passengers relying on both bus and Tube services.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of drivers | 1,500+ |
| Number of days of action announced | 26 |
| Garages involved | Barking; Edmonton; Enfield; Grays; Palmers Green; Stamford Hill; Tottenham; Wood Green |
| Current action window | From 04:00 on 13 August until 04:30 on 15 August |
What passengers should do
Passengers travelling in affected areas should plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys. TfL travel updates and individual bus operators' service alerts are the best sources for up‑to‑date information on cancellations and alternative routes. Where possible, commuters may wish to use unaffected bus routes, the Underground (bearing in mind planned Piccadilly line works), cycling or walking for shorter journeys.
The dispute centres on a long‑standing safety and welfare issue for drivers that Unite says has become more urgent as summers grow hotter. Arriva North London has been urged by the union to make fitting effective air conditioning a priority to protect staff and passengers from the health risks of extreme temperatures.
I spoke to colleagues in the area and the disruption is already being felt on busy corridors where replacement services are limited. With further days of action planned, the impact is likely to recur unless talks produce a resolution.
