Latest news with #SteveDudeney
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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 Tube station book swap ban 'ridiculous' Tube fan ranks every stop on the London Underground The wise words inspiring Tube commuters
BBC News
29-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Book swap to return to 15 surface-level London Tube stations
A free book exchange scheme is being restored at some London Underground stations after it was controversially suspended over fire safety 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 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 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 TownCockfostersEaling CommonEast FinchleyHammersmithHigh BarnetKew GardensKilburnMordenNorthfieldsOakwoodRavenscourt ParkStamford BrookTotteridge & WhetstoneWillesden 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 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.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tube station book swap ban 'ridiculous'
A decision to end free book exchanges at London Underground stations on safety grounds has been branded "ridiculous" by a former fire chief. The benefits of these mini-libraries, which have operated in stations across London for years, outweigh the fire risks, according to former London Fire Brigade (LFB) borough commander Steve Dudeney who called the ban "overkill". LFB said "combustible material poses a fire safety risk", while Transport for London (TfL) said it would work "to see if book swaps can be reintroduced". Tian, who commutes from Oval Tube station in south London, said: "It's not a tragedy compared to other things happening in the world but it's disappointing for local residents." A source close to mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, told BBC London that the mayor had "stepped in". "We are looking to reverse this decision as soon as possible. TfL are working urgently with LFB to ensure this happens," they 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." Mr Dudeney said: "Bearing in mind those regulations have been in place for 16 years and there hasn't been a fire… I think it's a ridiculous application. It's overkill. "If you've got a small bookshelf on a platform and in the upstairs area, the risk is there but it's negligible. "Someone has taken the legislation to the nth degree without using experience and skill to use a proper assessment of the risk." Tian added: "I'm obviously quite dismayed and disappointed. "Firstly, it feels heavy-handed particularly because where the book exchange is is at the street level and, secondly, there are still the daily free newspapers in the station. "It just felt very sudden and it wasn't really clear why it was a fire safety issue." Kamal Shah, chair of North Harrow Community Library, said he "could see both sides". He said: "I can see why people are upset. It's unfortunate but I feel that TfL are not entirely to blame here. "The biggest problem is people being inconsiderate; if people hadn't been vandalising them or dumping stuff around the shelving, TfL would have been happy to carry on the scheme "There are other places where [book swaps] happen which are more sustainable than stations." Tube fan ranks every stop on the London Underground Library waives 48-year fine after Canada book return The wise words inspiring Tube commuters An LFB spokesperson said: "We are working with TfL with regards to their responsibility to remove all book libraries from subsurface stations. "This is due to combustible material posing a fire safety risk if it is stored on these premises. "Non-subsurface stations have been asked to remove book libraries from display until they have the correct fire safety plans in place." A spokesperson for TfL said: "We work very closely with LFB and other emergency services to ensure our services run safely and, following guidance from the fire service, we have advised our staff to remove book swaps from stations. "We will also work with local communities to redistribute books to alternative local locations in the meantime." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to
BBC News
13-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Tube station book swaps end over fire safety fears
A decision to end free book exchanges at London Underground stations on safety grounds has been branded "ridiculous" by a former fire benefits of these mini-libraries, which have operated in stations across London for years, outweigh the fire risks, according to former London Fire Brigade (LFB) borough commander Steve Dudeney who called the ban "overkill".LFB said "combustible material poses a fire safety risk", while Transport for London (TfL) said it would work "to see if book swaps can be reintroduced".Tian, who commutes from Oval Tube station in south London, said: "It's not a tragedy compared to other things happening in the world but it's disappointing for local residents." 'Legislation taken to the nth degree' 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."Mr Dudeney said: "Bearing in mind those regulations have been in place for 16 years and there hasn't been a fire… I think it's a ridiculous application. It's overkill."If you've got a small bookshelf on a platform and in the upstairs area, the risk is there but it's negligible."Someone has taken the legislation to the nth degree without using experience and skill to use a proper assessment of the risk." Tian added: "I'm obviously quite dismayed and disappointed."Firstly, it feels heavy-handed particularly because where the book exchange is is at the street level and, secondly, there are still the daily free newspapers in the station."It just felt very sudden and it wasn't really clear why it was a fire safety issue." 'More sustainable locations' Kamal Shah, chair of North Harrow Community Library, said he "could see both sides".He said: "I can see why people are upset. It's unfortunate but I feel that TfL are not entirely to blame here."The biggest problem is people being inconsiderate; if people hadn't been vandalising them or dumping stuff around the shelving, TfL would have been happy to carry on the scheme"There are other places where [book swaps] happen which are more sustainable than stations." An LFB spokesperson said: "We are working with TfL with regards to their responsibility to remove all book libraries from subsurface stations. "This is due to combustible material posing a fire safety risk if it is stored on these premises. "Non-subsurface stations have been asked to remove book libraries from display until they have the correct fire safety plans in place."A spokesperson for TfL said: "We work very closely with LFB and other emergency services to ensure our services run safely and, following guidance from the fire service, we have advised our staff to remove book swaps from stations. "We will also work with local communities to redistribute books to alternative local locations in the meantime."
