London’s popular book swap miniature libraries are to return to some of London’s Underground stations next months after they were banned earlier this year because they were deemed a fire risk, Transport for London says.
High Barnet station on the Northern line will be the first of 15 to get their book swaps back thanks to supplies of cabinets that comply with the relevant fire and other safety regulations being obtained.
However, the solution only applies to surface-level stations, as more stringent rules apply to sub-surface level stations, and TfL says it is “currently not possible” to find a solution.
The other stations released from the earlier are: Acton Town, Cockfosters, Ealing Common, East Finchley, Hammersmith, Kew Gardens, Kilburn, Morden, Northfields, Oakwood, Ravenscourt Park, Stamford Brook, Totteridge & Whetstone and Willesden Green.
TfL says it “continues to work” with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) on the issue and is “talking to government about existing legislation and guidance to inform future decisions about whether the return of the community assets with appropriate risk assessment and mitigations might be possible in the future”.
Sir Sadiq Khan welcomed the progress so far, saying he knows “from personal experience and talking to commuters what a difference they make across London”. TfL Commissioner Andy Lord echoed that sentiment, but also stressed that “safety is always our top priority” and LFB Commissioner Andy Roe, while praising the miniature libraries as “part of the public transport landscape”, defended the LFB’s “review of their use” and underlined the importance of learning from “past tragedies” in the network.
OnLondon.co.uk provides unique, no-advertising and no-paywall coverage of the capital’s politics, development and culture. Support the website and its writers for just £5 a month or £50 a year and get things that other people won’t. Details HERE. Follow Dave Hill on Bluesky. Photograph from Books for London website, 2013.