Afternoon:
10°c
Comment: Cool way to go
Evening Standard24 Jun 2008
Signs of a proper summer are welcome but they bring with them the prospect of sweltering conditions for Tube passengers. Travellers are entitled to be frustrated that London Underground's ambitious £150 million plan to cool trains by piping ice-cold water around the network is under threat following the collapse of the Tube maintenance consortium Metronet.
However, the emergency plan to use 40 portable industrial fans at key stations is better than nothing. If it alleviates the very serious problem of overheating it must be extended. Similarly, Thames Water needs to move forward quickly with its plans to allow travellers passing through bus and rail stations to refill their water bottles easily.
And for those in a position to walk or cycle even part of the way to work, there is an alternative. Summer is a great time to rethink the daily commute. As our Walk to Work challenge shows, putting one foot in front of another is good for mood and fitness. If the thought of waiting until 2010 for proper air conditioning on parts of the Tube is too much, now is the time to look at new ways to cover the ground.
