“Community libraries” that allow commuters to share books for free are to be reintroduced at a number of Tube stations.
Bookshelves – often wooden shelves located in ticket halls on an ad hoc basis - were removed across the London Underground network last month after the London Fire Brigade said they breaches safety rules.
Sir Sadiq Khan had promised to find a solution – though the brigade had been following rules, introduced in the wake of the 1987 King’s Cross fire, that the London mayor had updated in 2009 in his previous job as a Government minister.
The Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) (England) Regulations 2009 state: “All parts of station premises must be kept clear of any accumulation of combustible refuse or other combustible matter.”
Transport for London said on Tuesday that the “book swap” libraries would be reinstated at 15 Tube stations in May after it agreed a “fire-proof storage solution” with the fire brigade.
This will involve the installation of fire-proof cabinets that meet fire safety regulations and the Underground’s own requirements in terms of fire safety, accessibility, and network security.
High Barnet station will be the first to receive a new cabinet, followed throughout May by Acton Town, Cockfosters, Ealing Common, East Finchley, Hammersmith, High Barnet, Kew Gardens, Kilburn, Morden, Northfields, Oakwood, Ravenscourt Park, Stamford Brook, Totteridge & Whetstone and Willesden Green.
Other stations where the loss of the book libraries was met with protests, including Clapham North, Oval and Blackhorse Road, do not feature on the initial list.
TfL said it would continue to review the rules with the fire brigade and the Government to establish whether more libraries could be reintroduced after risk assessments and mitigation measures.
Sir Sadiq said: “This is a welcome return of community book swap schemes. I know from personal experience and talking to commuters what a difference they make across London.
“I now want to see a solution as soon as possible that will allow these important community libraries to be safely returned.”
TfL commissioner Andy Lord said: “Safety is always our absolute top priority, so it is right that we have worked together with London Fire Brigade to find a solution that is safe and compliant with fire safety regulations.
“We know how important the community book swap libraries are to our customers, and I am pleased that, working together, we have now been able to reintroduce them to our surface stations.”
The King’s Cross fire started when a lit match that was dropped on an escalator – smoking was permitted on the Tube at the time - caused grease and debris underneath to catch fire. The inferno resulted in the death of 31 people.
Andy Roe, London Fire Brigade Commissioner, said: “We celebrate the tradition of Londoners sharing books, and book libraries are a welcome part of the public transport landscape. However, they must be managed safely.
“The leaders of both LFB and TfL are committed to ensuring we learn from past tragedies and take every step to keep people safe.
“Therefore, it was right to review the use of book libraries and work together, as we have done, to examine the risk posed and explore ways to mitigate it.
“I’m pleased we have found a way forward that will allow book libraries to operate, while protecting the safety of all those travelling and working on London Underground.”
