Commuters have been enduring “hellish” temperatures on the London Underground this week as a scorching heatwave has pushed the UK to its hottest June day on record.
Passengers reported "sweating buckets" in packed carriages, while the extreme heat has been contributing to delays on the network.
Temperatures reached a scorching 35.1C in the capital on Wednesday and it was the UK’s hottest recorded June day, with 36.1C recorded in Gosport, Hampshire.
Braving the heat so you don't have to, The Standard took to the Tube to find out exactly what commuters are facing on their way around the capital.
Here's what we found:
Unsurprisingly, the Central line once again claimed the crown as London's hottest Tube line, reaching a blistering 39.4C, essentially becoming a sauna.
While the Elizabeth, District and Circle lines benefit from air conditioning, they were still reaching highs of 22.7C in places.
Temperatures on the other lines were:
Jubilee - 37.2C
Bakerloo - 36.4C
Piccadilly - 33.7C
Victoria - 33.6C
Northern - 33C
Metropolitan - 22.7C
Hammersmith & City - 22.7C
Elizabeth - 22.6C
Speaking specifically about the Central line, Edgar, a painter and decorator, told The Standard: “It’s crazy. It’s really bad.
“My strategy is to try and be at the end of the carriage so I can stand next to the window so it offers a bit of relief.
“But, as everyone knows, the tunnels are hot so even in the wind it’s warm. It’s insane.”
Edgar also described the escalator down from Bank station as “descending into hell”.
When asked whether he had considered cycling to work, Edgar said he often does, but on days like today it can be too much.
He added that he tries to use the Overground as much as possible on his commute.
Campaigners have often criticised the “sauna-like” conditions on the Central line, warning that overcrowded, poorly ventilated carriages are becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
This has worsened in recent years as climate change drives hotter and longer heatwaves in London, pushing temperatures on the London Underground even higher.
There are a number of reasons the London Underground doesn’t have air-conditioning on most lines – one being that the Tube system is simply very old.
The oldest tunnels were built in the Victorian era and are just about big enough for the trains themselves, according to Engineering & Technology. Therefore, there wouldn’t be room to add air-conditioning equipment to trains.
The Tube lines without air con are the Central, Bakerloo, Jubilee, Victoria, Waterloo & City, Piccadilly and Northern.
Caroline Russell, Leader of the Green Group on the London Assembly, stressed: "With sweltering temperatures becoming more common, London is expected to develop a climate comparable to southern European cities, such as Barcelona, over the coming years.
"We need air conditioning on every Tube and train to keep passengers and staff safe during periods of extreme heat.”
Commuter Miguel seconded this, saying “the older lines are terrible”.
“Obviously they're in the sun and they come out of the line sweltering, no AC, you know.
He added: “I don't know how we can survive really.”
Another commuter, Dillan, added: “I normally take the Jubilee line and the Metropolitan line [...] and to be honest with you, I was sweating buckets within the first two stops.”
The current heatwave, which has led to health warnings, school closures and transport disruption, is driven by a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe that has brought extreme conditions across the continent.
The 50-year-old temperature record has fallen as climate change, mostly the result of burning fossil fuels, is driving increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves, which experts say the UK is not prepared for.
Professor Stephen Belcher, Met Office chief scientist, said: “Human induced climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense.
“To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering.
“Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply.”
Nick Dent, TfL’s director of customer operations, stressed:“We’re working to ensure our transport services remain resilient in the face of more extreme and frequent hot weather events.
“We are investing millions as part of our continuous work to improve the network, which includes introducing new trains to meet growing customer numbers whilst providing more comfortable journeys.”
He added: “We have implemented energy efficient solutions on new trains, which reduce the heat generated.
“We’re constantly looking at how innovative solutions can be rolled more widely on the transport network to ensure more passengers experience cool and comfortable journeys in the summer.”
© The Standard Ltd