25.07.12
LU cooling works installed at key stations
Air conditioning and cooling works have been installed on the London Underground to counter hot weather this summer, TfL has announced.
At Green Parkair cooling units have been installed using borehole cooling technology, with drills boring to cool water deep below the ground. At Oxford Circus the cooling units scheme has been expanded to include all platform areas.
Air-conditioned trains are now running on the Metropolitan line, and the first of the Hammersmith and City line’s new stock is running as a preview service ahead of the main roll-out, to take place later this year.
This is due to be followed by the Circle and District lines.
Deep tunnels on London Underground only allow enough room for trains, not air conditioning. This means the heat can become potentially dangerous for passengers’ health in the summer months.
Mike Brown, London Underground’s managing director, said: “The completion of the station cooling works at bothGreenParkand Oxford Circus stations is great news for those travelling in centralLondon. We are investing millions to cool temperatures for passengers through a programme that will include the delivery of new air-conditioned trains, which are now serving the Metropolitan line.
“We know there is still much to do and cooling the other deeper lines of the Tube remains a considerable engineering challenge. However, we are making significant steps and Londoners should be assured that we are not complacent about finding solutions.”
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