Around six in ten Londoners think it is currently too easy for Tube workers to strike, a new survey commissioned by the London Assembly Conservatives has shown.

Only 14 per cent of the poll suggested that this is not the case, while nearly half of the voters said they would back government legislation that bans London Underground employees from taking industrial action.

The survey, carried out by Bryter Research, sought the opinions of 284 Londoners and it is clear that the majority are concerned about the significant disruptions caused by strikes.

In fact, figures show that strikes cost the economy £48 million a day, while 20 days of Tube strikes in London between 2005 and 2009 were said to be worth £1 billion in lost productivity.

Richard Tracey, GLA Conservative spokesman for transport, said Tube unions have been holding the public hostage with the threat of strike action for too long.

"Banning strikes tied to a wider package of compulsory arbitration will protect London's commuters and the capital's economy," he remarked.