TfL decommissions Oxford Circus air conditioning despite sweltering heat

Temperatures may be hitting record highs in the capital but City commuters are unlikely to find relief from the heat underground, after TfL decided to decommission the air conditioning systems at one of its busiest stations.

London’s transport operator unveiled plans in 2012 to install air cooling systems at Oxford Circus and Green Park, two major central interchange stations popular with tourists and commuters and known for their warm temperatures. 

The multi-million pound project saw the introduction of cool air systems provided by chiller units that were installed on top of nearby buildings owned by TfL. The project involved the installation of nearly two-dozen platform level ‘air handling units’.

“This work will be a welcome improvement for passengers using these stations,” Isabel Dedring, Deputy Mayor of Transport, said in 2012.

But a Freedom of Information request obtained by City AM found that the cooling system has since been “decommissioned” and has not been operational for several years, causing platform temperatures to once again become unbearable.

A spokesperson said the “cooling element failed” a number of years ago, and TfL decided not to spend money on the necessary repairs.

“The platform air handling units at Oxford Circus Station operate continuously to circulate air across the platforms,” officials said. “However, the cooling function of these units is currently decommissioned and therefore not in use.”

TfL’s press office said: “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 while providing more comfortable journeys. We have implemented energy efficient solutions on new trains, which reduce the heat generated.”

Hot air at TfL

It comes as the UK set a fresh record for the hottest May day, with temperatures surpassing 35 degrees celsius in some parts of London on Tuesday.

Met Office chief forecaster Andy Page said the “exceptional” late-spring heat will continue for much of this week, with more “tropical nights” expected.

Tube bosses regularly wrestle with high temperatures on deep-level tube trains and stations, with hot air difficult and expensive to expel. None of London’s deep-level lines, such as the Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines, have on-board air conditioning. 

But TfL, which has already introduced air conditioning across older, sub-surface lines such as the District line, hopes to introduce deep-level air conditioning for the first time on the Piccadilly line later this year as part of a £3bn upgrade.