An hour before the Tube strike was even due to start one of London's busiest stations was forced to close.
Workers started their journeys home early on Wednesday evening in a bid to avoid the mayhem was expected to ensure when staff walked out at 6.30pm, halting Underground services across the city.
But more than an hour before the strike was due to begin Oxford Circus pulled down its shutters due to the congestion.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) described the night Tube as a "vanity project" of Mayor Boris Johnson, claiming it was "fundamentally flawed from top to bottom".
Members of the RMT and three other unions will stage a 24-hour strike from Wednesday evening, bringing the underground network to a standstill until Friday morning.
Chaotic scenes of commuters trying to rush home before the impending walk out were seen across the capital.
Talks aimed at resolving the row ended on Monday and are not due to resume until next week at the earliest. Unions could announce fresh walkouts if the deadlock is not broken.
Tube Strike August 2015
Oxford Circus(01 of10)
Open Image ModalCommuters queuing to enter Oxford Circus tube station ahead of the Tube strike in the evening rush hour of Wednesday, August 5, 2015. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Moorgate(02 of10)
Open Image ModalCommuters queuing for tube trains at Moorgate tube station. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(03 of10)
Open Image Modal (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Victoria(04 of10)
Open Image ModalCommuters rushing for last trains at Victoria station ahead of the Tube strike. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(05 of10)
Open Image ModalCommuters trying to find alternative routes during the tube strike at Victoria station. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Paddington(06 of10)
Open Image ModalA Underground sign seen through the gates to an entrance at Paddington Underground station. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
(07 of10)
Open Image ModalTravellers are turned away at Paddington Underground station. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
(08 of10)
Open Image Modal (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
(09 of10)
Open Image ModalAn RMT union member puts up a picket notice outside Paddington Station as the union starts a 24-hour strike. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Tube strike(10 of10)
Open Image ModalDiscarded newspapers lay on the floor of a deserted Victoria line carriage as a strike by Underground workers closed London's entire Tube system. (credit:Martin Keene/PA Wire)