THE Tube regulator was urged to grill London Underground bosses on safety issues last night as power technicians prepared to walkout on an eight-day strike.

London Underground power technicians represented by Unite, RMT and TSSA commenced strike action from 8pm last night over attacks to their working conditions.

Unite regional officer Hugh Roberts wrote to Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) chief executive Richard Price yesterday to seek assurances with London Underground management that their contingency plans are robust enough.

He said: “Serious matters of public safety arise from the way LUL intends to manage the control of power during our members’ strike action.

“The duration of industrial action is for several days and nights and LUL intends for two managers supervising the volunteers - to work several shifts each without a rest day.

“It appears to us that owing to the duration of the strike action there is a very real risk of something going terribly wrong as the managers become more fatigued over time.

“We urge you to challenge LUL over the robustness of their plans as none of the trade unions wish to compromise public safety.”