When it comes to putting your money where your mouth is, Mayor of London Boris Johnson is proving he isn’t just full of hot air.
Following last summer’s sweltering Tube conditions which apparently reached temperatures of 47C (117F) on the Tube, London’s underground trains will be fitted with air conditioning in time for next year’s sizzling summer period – a period that usually lasts about two weeks but let’s not digress.
The better-late-than-never move will see Tube trains on “surface” lines such as the Circle, District and Metropolitan lines equipped with air conditioning by next June – hurrah! I’ve lost track of the times I’ve had to sprint down the steps like Usain Bolt, wearing a suit and duffel coat, hauling a laptop, and making my train by seconds and then instantly wishing I’d missed it as my sweat glands become wetter than a labrador’s nose.
Air conditioning is not so much a hot topic in the UK as it is divided; there are those who find it absolutely essential and simply couldn’t be without their beloved air con, whilst others are ‘cool enough thank you very much’ – in fact so cool that they don’t even require it in their cars. What’s all that about?!
Having snapped up a portable air conditioning unit from London’s Airconco.com, I can safely say I’m in the former category as it leaves me cooler than an Icelandic cucumber – if there is such a thing. If there isn’t, then how cool would that be?
Anyway, back to the blood, sweat and tears of a Tube ride to work. If they do get this sorted by next June, it will be the best thing to arrive in London since Thierry Henry – providing they ultimately spread the air con love to the Northern and Piccadilly lines too.
Being the world’s only major underground train system without a cooling system, the Transport for London (TfL) bosses are finally getting their backsides in gear after Health & Safety regulations were breached time and time again last summer.
“The heat on the Tube is especially dangerous for the very young, older people or those with serious illnesses,” say the Department for Health. “In particular, it can make heart and respiratory problems worse. In extreme cases, excess heat can lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal.”
All being well, we won’t have to worry about ‘fatalities’ on our Tube system next summer; if anything it will be nice to hear complaints of customers being too cold – bring it on….