London Underground travellers swelter in heat exceeding legal limits for cattle

Commuters on London's Underground are facing sweltering conditions, with temperatures on some platforms soaring above 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit). This intense heat is making journeys deeply uncomfortable, with passengers likening the experience to being in a sauna.

At King's Cross St Pancras station, the descent into the subterranean depths brings a noticeable increase in temperature. Onboard trains and platforms, passengers are struggling to cope. Many are seen using handheld fans, while others, like passenger Anna at Oxford Circus, describe peak hours as "quite difficult" and akin to a "sauna." The heat is so oppressive that some, like barista Sharmin near the barriers at King's Cross, have felt faint and questioned the lack of cooling measures.

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We’re quite lucky that this platform is almost empty, because when the platform gets packed it’s [like a] sauna. When it’s peak hours, it’s quite difficult.

Remarkably, the temperatures recorded on the Tube exceed the legal limit for transporting cattle in the United Kingdom, which is set at 30 degrees Celsius. Lines such as the Victoria line, known for being the deepest on the network, and the older trains on the Bakerloo line, are particularly susceptible to heat buildup. Tube tunnels act like radiators, absorbing heat from the surrounding clay and concrete, exacerbating the problem during heatwaves.

Craig, another passenger, mentioned having to travel in gym clothes and change at his office due to the heat. The extreme temperatures highlight a growing challenge for London's transport system as heatwaves become more routine. The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change executive director, Asher Minns, has commented on the issue, emphasizing the impact of rising global temperatures on urban infrastructure.

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I’ve felt like I was going to faint.