<p><br /> The threat of fresh travel disruption caused by industrial action in London has escalated after the capital's Mayor called for an end to "pointless" strikes.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Rail Maritime and Transport union announced that its members on the Docklands Light Railway will walk out for 48 hours from 3.59am next Thursday in a series of rows including jobs, pensions and hours.<br /> </p><p><br /> The news came ahead of a 24-hour strike on the Bakerloo and Northern Lines from 9pm on Friday night in separate disputes over two drivers.<br /> </p><p><br /> London Underground condemned the strike and said it would run Tube services despite the action.<br /> </p><p><br /> Meanwhile, London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has attacked the recent wave of Tube strikes, revealed that automatic trains have been tested on parts of London Underground.<br /> </p><p><br /> In a speech in London, he said most of the Jubilee Line currently operates under automatic train operation - from Stratford to Neasden - adding: "In other words the driving of the train is done by computer rather than manually."<br /> </p><p><br /> He added: "Of course there will still need to be someone aboard the train, but thanks to the advanced signalling being installed it is also a fact that anyone in this room could in a matter of a few weeks acquire the qualifications necessary to supervise an underground train."<br /> </p><p><br /> Union leaders said the Mayor appeared to be threatening to run driverless trains on the Tube, as happens on the DLR.<br /> </p>
