SQUEEZING THE TUBE
Moment Brits pack onto Tubes as TfL begs commuters to AVOID busy stations just days after lockdown starts to lift
BRITS were today seen piling onto Tubes in London despite transport bosses begging commuters to avoid busy stations.
Footage shows passengers unable to socially distance at Canning Town Station in the capital - just days after lockdown restrictions started to ease.
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Crowds of masked workers could be seen packed together on the station's platform as they waited for trains at 6.30am on Wednesday.
Footage from this morning shows the commuters squeezing onto the Tube together, unable to keep their distance.
Inside the carriage, passengers are having to stand, with almost all seats taken - as others are squeezed up against the doors.
Similar scenes were seen at the station back in January, as Covid infections rocketed in England.
At the time, the cause was said to be down to cancelled services.
Yesterday, Transport for London (TfL) urged commuters to avoid peak times, writing in a statement: "Travelling during our quiet times will make social distancing easier on platforms and trains."
It went onto add diversion recommendations for anyone who has to "travel at the busier times" (between 6am and 8am on weekdays) and "usually changes onto the Jubilee line at Canning Town".
"These routes might make your journey a little longer, but you are more likely to have space for social distancing," the advice states.
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It comes after the Government's stay at home guidance was lifted on Monday, with outdoor sports and gatherings of up to six people now allowed outside.
Guidance around travel, however, has not changed.
"People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes," the latest advice states.
The measures are expected to be in place until at least June 21 across England, with the Prime Minister urging workers to continue working from "wherever possible" until Britain moves back to normality.
During the pandemic almost half of working adults were found to be spending at least some of their time working from home, according to recent research by the Office for National Statistics.
The latest footage, however, shows many are still having to commute for work.
Transport for London says it has been working with businesses throughout the Covid crisis to reduce crowding at stations like Vauxhall and Canning Town - which are key stations for construction workers.
It said these stations have seen a 13 per cent reduction in exits between 6am and 10am as a result.
A TFL spokesperson told The Sun Online: "Ridership on the Tube network between 6am and 10am has declined slightly this week, with 667k taps in and out of the network between those times this morning and 716k between the same times last Wednesday.
"Similarly, taps in and out of Canning Town were lower this morning than for several weeks.
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"As this video shows, compliance with face covering requirements remains extremely high. Customers should wear a face covering over their nose and mouth while they are on the transport network, and TfL’s enforcement teams are working with BTP to ensure compliance remains at these levels."
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The quietest times to take the Tube are between 8.15am and 4pm and after 5.30pm on weekdays, as well as before noon and after 6pm on weekends.
Londoners are encouraged to consider walking and cycling where possible.
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Footage shows a busy Canning Town station with packed trains and commuters not observing social distancing