As heatwaves become routine, London Underground commuters face unbearable temperatures, with conditions exceeding legal limits for livestock.
London, United Kingdom Jul 11, 2026 ALN: As the escalator descends below ground at King’s Cross St Pancras station in London, the shift from what was already a hot station entrance to the furnace-like subterranean depths is perceptible. The transition is jarring; what was once a manageable warmth quickly becomes an oppressive heat that engulfs commuters. This experience is not unique to King’s Cross; it reflects a broader issue facing London’s underground transport system as it grapples with increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.
On the tube, the situation intensifies. A man leans back in his seat, eyes closed, sweltering in the stifling air. Others clutch electric fans, attempting to combat the heat that seems to envelop them. London commuters are known for their resilience and stoicism, often accepting the heat as just another aspect of urban life. However, this year, the heat is more than just a minor inconvenience; it is a significant challenge that many are finding increasingly difficult to endure. With heatwaves in the capital becoming routine, the implications for daily commuting are serious.
“We’re quite lucky that this platform is almost empty, because when the platform gets packed it’s [like a] sauna,” Anna, a passenger at Oxford Circus, observes. “When it’s peak hours, it’s quite difficult.” Her comments underscore a growing concern among commuters who face the dual challenge of crowded trains and extreme heat. Anna, who typically adapts well to hot temperatures, admits that even she finds the heat on the platform hard to bear. Craig, another passenger, shares a similar sentiment, mentioning that he has to travel in gym clothes and change into his work clothes at the office to cope with the uncomfortable conditions on the tube.
This struggle is not merely anecdotal; it reflects a larger trend of rising temperatures affecting urban transport systems across the globe. As cities become more densely populated and temperatures rise, the challenges of maintaining a comfortable commuting environment become more pronounced. London’s underground is particularly vulnerable due to its age and the materials used in its construction, which can exacerbate heat retention.
London’s underground system, which has been in operation for over a century, was not designed to cope with the extreme heat that has become more prevalent in recent summers. Lines such as the Victoria line, the deepest on the network, and the Bakerloo line, known for having some of the oldest trains in passenger use anywhere in the country, are particularly ill-equipped to withstand high temperatures. The heat generated by trains, combined with the warm clay and concrete surrounding the tunnels, creates a situation where temperatures can soar dangerously high.
Sharmin, a barista at the Pret a Manger stationed by the barriers at King’s Cross St Pancras, has witnessed firsthand the toll that the heat can take on commuters. She reports having seen people faint in and around the station, a concerning sign of the oppressive conditions. The heat is so unbearable that she has asked to leave early during some of her shifts this week. She questions why there are no coolers or industrial fans set up near her workplace, expressing frustration at the lack of measures to alleviate the discomfort. “I’ve felt like I was going to faint,” she admits, highlighting the urgent need for action to protect both workers and passengers.
A quick glance at the thermometer I’m carrying during this informal investigation reveals that the station is about 30C. On the platform and inside the tube, temperatures creep up to 32C, and at the Victoria line platform at Finsbury Park, the mercury hits an alarming 34C. This is particularly concerning given that it is illegal to transport cattle above 30C in the UK; yet, transporting people at 34C is becoming increasingly common. It raises serious questions about the safety and comfort of commuters who rely on this vital transportation system.
At this point, temperatures are ten degrees higher underground than they are outside, according to my iPhone’s built-in weather app. Between 8 am and 9 am, the thermometer shows readings of 34C on the Victoria line platforms at Finsbury Park, as well as on the Victoria and Bakerloo line platforms at Victoria, and on the northbound Bakerloo line platform at Oxford Circus. These conditions not only pose a discomfort but can also lead to health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Asher Minns, executive director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, emphasizes the severity of the situation, stating that tube tunnels are “basically radiators,” absorbing and retaining the heat generated by the surrounding environment. The carriages, platforms, and surrounding tunnels are also warmed by the hundreds of kilowatts of heat produced by the trains during operation. The combination of external temperatures rising due to climate change and the inherent design of the underground system leads to a feedback loop of increasing heat retention.
However, Minns notes that adapting the infrastructure to cope with these rising temperatures is a complex challenge due to the aging system and the surrounding clay. It is likely to take years before the network can be effectively modified to handle the heat. In the meantime, he stresses the importance of focusing on reducing risks to passengers. “It can’t go on like this, and it’s not going to get any better,” he warns. “The underground absolutely has to adapt to the impacts of climate change, but right now I think [the focus] has to be looking after passengers.” This statement reflects a growing recognition of the need for immediate action to protect those who rely on public transport.
In light of these challenges, Minns suggests several potential solutions to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on commuters. He proposes limiting the number of passengers allowed to travel when temperatures exceed a certain threshold or reducing the number of tubes in service during heatwaves. Such measures could help to alleviate overcrowding and improve the overall experience for commuters during peak heat periods.
Nick Dent, TfL’s director of customer operations, acknowledges the challenges posed by rising temperatures and the need for investment in infrastructure to make the network more resilient and comfortable. He states that TfL is committed to introducing new air-conditioned trains on the Piccadilly line and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) as part of their strategy to address the growing issue of heat on the underground. However, Dent also highlights the challenges posed by the “short-term and stop-start nature of funding” over recent years, which has forced TfL to prioritize investments that will deliver the most significant benefits to customers in the immediate future. This approach may limit the scope of what can be done to address the long-term effects of climate change on the transport network.
As London continues to face hotter summers and more extreme weather events, the need for a comprehensive strategy to adapt the underground system becomes increasingly urgent. The implications of failing to address these challenges extend beyond mere discomfort; they encompass broader public health concerns and the potential for increased strain on the city’s transport infrastructure. As the city grapples with the realities of climate change, it is clear that urgent action is needed to ensure the safety and comfort of all who rely on the London Underground.
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