The RMT wants maintenance taken away from private companies

For 48 hours from 8 December trains were due go at just 25mph in a safety dispute following two derailments.

The action, over tracks with safety concerns, will now start on the 9th, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said.

The RMT has also threatened 24-hour strikes and a week-long go slow from 17 December if concerns are not met.

Union members voted for the action following two derailments at Camden Town and Hammersmith.

RMT leader Bob Crow said the union had received a large number of "sympathetic approaches" from people who supported the RMT's safety campaign but did not want the industrial action to clash with the victory parade.

Huge crowds

"Our intention is not to interfere with the public's celebration of the rugby squad's achievements but to secure a safer Tube system for everyone who uses or works on it."

The union is campaigning for maintenance work to be taken away from private firms and given back to London Underground (LU) following the two derailments in October.

Huge crowds are expected to cheer the England rugby team, who will parade the World Cup trophy through central London.

A spokeswoman for LU said: "We welcome the fact that the RMT has decided not to disrupt the rugby victory parade in the best interests of London and those who wish to celebrate."