Book swap to return to some Tube stations
A free book exchange scheme is being restored at some London Underground stations after it was controversially suspended over fire safety concerns.
Transport for London (TfL) said the Book Swaps scheme could return to 15 surface-level Tube stations next month after a "suitable fire-proof storage solution" was found.
The ban had come into effect last month after London Fire Brigade (LFB) said "combustible material poses a fire safety risk".
Steve Dudeney, a former LFB borough commander, criticised the move, branding it as "ridiculous", but LFB commissioner Andy Roe said while they "celebrate the tradition of Londoners sharing books", it must be "managed safely".
Prior to the suspension, 31 stations had the book swap scheme including at Oval and Lewisham.
New cabinets will be introduced at 15 stations, starting with High Barnet.
A TfL spokesperson said it had worked with LFB to ensure the new cabinets, which are sourced from a third-party supplier, were "compliant with fire safety regulations and meet the unique requirements for the London Underground in terms of fire safety, accessibility, and network security".
Andy Lord, the transport body's commissioner, said: "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."
TfL would work with the brigade to address issues at sub-surface Tube stations which were subject to "more stringent regulations", a spokesperson added.
Section 7 of the Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) (England) Regulations 2009 states: "All parts of station premises must be kept clear of any accumulation of combustible refuse."
The Book Swaps cabinets will be installed at the following stations:
Acton Town
Cockfosters
Ealing Common
East Finchley
Hammersmith
High Barnet
Kew Gardens
Kilburn
Morden
Northfields
Oakwood
Ravenscourt Park
Stamford Brook
Totteridge & Whetstone
Willesden Green
Mr Roe said the leaders of both LFB and TfL were committed to taking "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," he said.
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan welcomed the return of the mini libraries to the surface-level stations, and said he wanted "to see a solution as soon as possible" for them to return to sub-surface ones.
"I know from personal experience and talking to commuters what a difference they make across London," he added.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
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