A Northern Line train hit a wall when it derailed at Camden

The Rail, Maritime and Transport's (RMT) executive decided to suspend the industrial action at a meeting on Monday after LU agreed to more track inspections.

Thousands of workers were due to take part in the protest on Tuesday and Wednesday, which would have included driving trains at just 25 mph, causing chaos for the three million people who travel on the Tube every day.

A series of meetings between LU and RMT union leaders in the past week raised hopes that the industrial action would be called off.

Let us now hope that the necessary improvements will be delivered speedily RMT general secretary Bob Crow

The RMT has been calling for improvements, including more regular checks of the track, following two derailments, at Hammersmith and Camden, in October.

Last week, the union said it was satisfied with LU's assurances of more rigorous safety inspections.

But it wanted clarification from private maintenance firms about "ambiguities" in their responses to its concerns.

LU and the private maintenance firms have also agreed to an emergency review of track patrols with union reps and that the review's recommendations for improvements will be made before Christmas.

Public understanding

RMT leader Bob Crow warned the industrial action would be rescheduled if the private firms involved in rail maintenance did not stick to their promises.

He said the dispute over safety was ongoing.

Mr Crow said: "By decisively backing the union's call for action on safety, they have drawn a line in the sand on safety - let us now hope that the necessary improvements will be delivered speedily."

He also said the public had shown understanding over the RMT's campaign for safety.

LU managing director Tim O'Toole said he was "delighted" with the announcement.

He said: "A safe Tube is my top priority and I know it's the same for the unions."