Pictures of overcrowded platforms at Canning Town station yesterday sparked covid safety fears.

Construction workers were among the rush-hour crowds of commuters.

The industry is doing its bit by looking at staggering start times on site to help workers avoid busy travel times.

But tube chiefs explained that yesterday’s crowds were an isolated incident caused by a series of train cancellations.

Nick Dent, London Underground’s Director of Line Operations, said: “Three Jubilee trains serving Canning Town were unfortunately cancelled at short notice this morning due to staff absence, causing higher numbers of people to be waiting on platforms for a short amount of time.

“This morning’s video is not representative of the rest of the Tube network nor of this station for the rest of the day.

“We are doing everything we can to help ensure those who need to travel for legally permitted reasons are able to do so in a safe way and maintain social distancing.

“We are running a near normal service, and urging passengers to travel between 8.15am and 4pm and after 5.30pm on weekdays, which are significantly quieter times on the network.

“TfL has also been working closely with the construction industry and large employers in the area to encourage staggering shifts and operating hours to ease demand, and advice has been sent to the TfL supply chain and construction companies through Build UK.”

Construction Leadership Council co-chair Andy Mitchell has also written to contractors urging them to encourage staggering of journeys to work.

He said: “It is essential that workers carefully manage their journeys to work in order to minimise impacts on public transport networks.”