LIKE most people on Wednesday morning I had to remain on the over-ground train at Walthamstow Central due to the Tube strike.

From the train I could see that the gates to the Victoria line and the subway were pulled over closed. I could also see that people on the Chingford bound platform had discovered that the gates there were not locked and could slide them open and use the subway to try and get across and catch the Liverpool Street-bound train.

As soon as a station official saw this he came from his office on the Liverpool Street-bound platform and shut the gates there telling people that they had to go back and miss the train.

Almost comically, he didn’t even bother to lock the gates closed so he’d have to keep telling commuters that due to either his awkward jobsworthness or some obscure and petty health and safety by-law, the gates must remain closed, causing people to make the long walk around and miss the train.

How very inconsiderate and unhelpful on a strike day. What on earth could have been the problem using the subway?

Laurance O'Neill,

Elmfield Road,

Chingford.