Commuters and tourists' travel plans were thrown into chaos on Thursday as the London Tube and bus bombings brought the capital's transport network to a total standstill.

The unprecedented events, which were the worst in the history of the London Underground, left thousands stranded in central London facing long walks home.

The entire Tube network was shut down for the day on Thursday, and buses were subjected to serious delays in Enfield after the double-decker bus was blown apart in Tavistock Square, central London. The delays were due to bus operators security-checking vehicles and reassuring staff.

The overground train line between Enfield Town and Liverpool Street terminated at Hackney Downs station, while Enfield Chase station users were offered a limited service to Finsbury Park.

Tube services reopened between Cockfosters and Arnos Grove on Friday but, as the Independent went to press, there was no service from Arnos Grove into central London, with replacement bus services running to Finchley Central and from Bounds Green station to Seven Sisters.

A spokeswoman for London Underground said: "Because the scene at King's Cross is still a crime scene, we haven't been able to get in to assess the level of damage.

"Everything is very much up in the air but it is likely to remain closed for several weeks."

Transport for London bosses paid tribute to staff and expressed their sympathies for the bomb victims. A spokesman added: "There is little doubt the combined efforts of London's public servants and Londoners themselves significantly reduced the impact of Thursday's events."