‘Like a sauna’: London tube travellers swelter in temperatures higher than legal limit for cattle
Summary
London’s underground trains and platforms are experiencing very high temperatures, reaching up to 34°C, which is hotter than the legal limit for transporting cattle. These heat levels make travelling uncomfortable and can cause health risks like fainting, and the underground system is not currently built to handle such heat.Key Facts
- Temperatures underground on London’s tube reach as high as 34°C during heatwaves.
- It is illegal in the UK to transport cattle at temperatures above 30°C.
- London tube stations and trains, such as the Victoria and Bakerloo lines, are among the hottest areas.
- Passengers experience extreme discomfort, sometimes using fans or changing clothes after their journey.
- Staff have reported people fainting and requested early leave due to the oppressive heat.
- Tube tunnels absorb and hold heat from the surrounding clay, concrete, and train braking systems.
- Experts say the tube’s old infrastructure makes it hard to cool the underground effectively.
- Adaptations to handle rising heat will take years, so currently the focus is on passenger safety.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
