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Surely the easiest way to introduce air-conditioning on the deepest underground tubes is simply to fix them along the top edge of the windows with circular holes cut into the windows for the hot air to escape? They could then run off the existing power inside the carriages, requiring little electricity and pretty much the same principle as the mobile air con units you can buy in Argos.
Plant 4 of them in each carriage (2 up each end) and bingo. Each carriage has air-con, with minimum fuss. Could be installed very easily, doesnt require huge upheaval or re-designs of the tube carriage and cost affordable. Each unit would probably only cost about £150, bought in bulk probably cheaper.

- Paul, London, 25/08/2009 17:08
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Melvyn - have you looked at the plans that TfL submitted? Their "new" plans are little better. You wouldn't want it in your back yard, why should we have it in ours?

There are currently 2 ugly buildings on Chapel Street (one a TfL one, one a block of flats opposite the proposed substation) so this would be an ugliness increase of 50%. The TfL "consultation" consisted of sending a letter round to locals saying that they were going to build it, and were allowed to!

Besides which, the lines that this would provide aircon for are the ones that are barely below ground and don't need it - it's the Northern, Bakerloo etc that are like ovens.

Thanks are due to the council for being willing to stand up for something more appropriate. As for Nigel's comment - I regularly see tourists taking pictures of my street near Edgware Road, it's not all ugly round here!

- Andy, Edgware Road, London, 08/08/2009 11:41
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Decision like this explain why France can built High Speed Railways while we cant even build a hole in the ground!!

It time to stand up to NIMBYS who think they own the world. Only problem is London now has a wishy washy mayor who caves in when to moaners are fellow tories...

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 02/08/2009 17:29
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Surely the design can be amended to meet the planning rules of the area (which incidentally, seem sound in this case)? Escobar A-Lop-Lop has the right idea of how to go about things. To those who say the gov. should just push through the scheme, I would caution them to remember the sustained ongoing total incompetence and lack of ability of the gov. in every area, why shoudl they be any good at building design?

- Helen, norwich, 29/07/2009 13:55
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Jack, the tube has been using regenerative braking for decades! Airconditioning needs EXTRA electricity on top of the existing supply for running trains. Without added power, they'll end up having to run the new trains with the aircon turned off.

The streets around Edgeware road are not very beautiful. Surely it can't be hard to build a mock-Victorian facade, or to preserve th facade of an existing building and put the power station behind it?

- Nigel, London, 29/07/2009 12:27
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So, did TfL not consult with Westminster City Council before submitting their application? I submit around 8 to 10 applications with Westminster per year, mostly small retail projects and I consult with them, and sometimes the neighbours, on each and every project, before I get anywhere near submitting an application. It's just good practice sense.

It's only TfL, or their agents, causing the delay here.

- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Mad as hell and not taking it anymore..., 29/07/2009 11:24
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Didn't the Government pass legislation to push neccesary infrastructure plans like this through? Or was that just to foist a 3rd Heathrow runway on us for their friends at BAA? Unlike the 3rd runway which will blight the lives of 2m+ people this will effect the views of a few houses. If it's on Edgware Rd it can't possibly spoil the view!

- Mark, London, 29/07/2009 11:18
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Ed, spot on as per geeza.

- Rod, Epping, UK, 29/07/2009 11:01
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Why can't the energy required for the air conditioning come from the braking system which is otherwise producing a lot of waste heat.

- Jack Spratt, Richmond, Surrey, 29/07/2009 10:37
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Good. London has had enough of modern tat destroying our historical neighbourhoods.

- Steve, London, 29/07/2009 09:52
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This comes as no surprise as in my experience with Westminster City Council is that they out of touch Luddites who seem to committed to destroying the economy of the borough of Westminster. Mind you, I am sure that these councillors have little idea of pear time Tube travel as they probably use taxis at the tax payers expense to move around London.

- John David, London, 29/07/2009 09:52
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All I can say is next time there is a heatwave in london - we should pack in as many of these planners into one of the carriages that is humanly possible - and then let them reject the plans - obviously their expenses need to be investigated if there are not using our poor overheated underground system.

- Raminder Bhalla, northolt, 29/07/2009 09:31
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I suggest building it inside Parliament (in the House of Commons). MPs can foot the bill with their 25 pounds allowance per day.

- Ed, London, 29/07/2009 08:50
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