Request ID: FOI-0808-2324 Date published: 29 June 2023
You asked
How are you assuring yourselves that the level of pollution and heat, especially on the Victoria like which is entirely underground, is not a sever risk to commuters?
We answered
TfL Ref: EIR-0808-2324
Thank you for your email of 16th June 2023 asking for information about air quality on the Victoria line.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“How are you assuring yourselves that the level of pollution and heat, especially on the Victoria like which is entirely underground, is not a sever risk to commuters?”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
The quality of air on the London Underground is a key area of focus for TfL, as we work to continue to ensure a safe working environment for our colleagues and comfort for customers. Our monitoring has shown that dust levels on the Tube remain well below limits set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and on most of our network are below the recommendations from the Institute of Occupational Medicine, which are set significantly lower. But we are not complacent and we are exploring the latest innovations to tackle the issue. We have a robust three pillar programme of work to tackle Tube dust: funding of world-leading research; cleaning and monitoring; and utilising the latest advances in innovation.
London Underground has a Network Hot Weather Plan which outlines the processes management and staff are to take when hot weather is experienced in London. The plan identifies the controls that need to be considered and actioned when relevant certain temperatures are reached, and what communication is require to customers to raise awareness of the risk of hot weather. The hot weather plan also identifies who is responsible for making these decisions and what other circumstances need to be considered before action is taken. London Underground adheres to the Network Hot Weather Plan to ensure customers and staff are kept safe from the risks posed by heat on the Underground network. There are enhanced tunnel ventilation systems on both the Victoria and Jubilee lines, and on older parts of the Tube network which have fewer ventilation shafts, we have introduced a range of station cooling systems including industrial-sized fans and chiller units to pump in cold air.
If this is not the information you are looking forplease do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
