Trains have been cancelled on the Metropolitan Line as a number of control room staff are self-isolating.

Transport for London (TFL) confirmed to the Observer that several members of the team have been ‘pinged’ by the NHS test and trace app, meaning they must isolate.

It has left shortage of staff in the control room and as a result, there will be no service on the Met Line for the rest of the day, a spokesperson said.

Read more - Soaring numbers in Watford pinged to self-isolate through NHS app in a week

Those in Watford, Rickmansworth, Croxley and Chorleywood are among commuters facing disruption if they had planned on using the line, although London Underground tickets will be accepted on Chiltern Railways and local bus services.

Watford Observer: Image: TFLImage: TFL

The lack of control room staff is also affecting other services on the Underground as well. On the District Line, there is no service High Street Kensington to Edgware Road, whilst on the Piccadilly Line there are no trains between South Harrow to Uxbridge.

These delays are set to last until 9pm, according to TFL.

Richard Jones, London Underground’s Head of Network Operations, said: “Due to a shortage of control room staff who are having to self-isolate following notification this morning via the Test and Trace app, there will be no service on the Metropolitan line for the rest of the day. 

"This will also impact the Piccadilly line with no service between South Harrow and Uxbridge and no service on the District line between High Street Kensington and Edgware.  Services are expected to resume on the Piccadilly and District lines at 21:00 this evening.  

“We apologise to customers for the disruption. London Underground tickets will be accepted on local bus services.”

The suspension comes after warnings to the Government over a “surge” in workers and medics being forced into self-isolation over coronavirus contacts when most restrictions end in England on Monday.

Transport unions have said there will be “dire consequences” next week when staff are “pinged” as the level of infections rise.

Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) general secretary Mick Lynch previously warned that Monday “will see a surge in workers pinged with a self-isolation instruction next week”.

“Even at this late stage, the Government, the train operators and the bus companies should issue a clear, legally backed instruction that levels up the rest of the UK to the safety standards that will remain in force in Wales and Scotland,” he said.