London Underground stations have been forced to remove their much-loved book exchange libraries - because officials say they pose a fire risk.
Signs in London Tube stations state the libraries have been removed at the request of the London Fire Brigade, who cite statutory fire regulations requiring TfL to keep stations clear of “combustible materials”.
But book lovers have hit out at the change, saying “meddling” bureaucrats were removing “the one bit of joy in a commute”.
Signs which have appeared at Clapham North and Oval Tube stations among others read: “Due to fire safety regulations from the London Fire Brigade, we have been forced to close all book exchange libraries on all London Underground Stations with immediate effect.
“We are all sad to see this go. Thank you for all your support over the years.”
The London Fire Brigade said legal regulations required TfL to remove book libraries from any subsurface Tube stations. It added non-subsurface stations had been asked to remove their libraries from public display until “correct fire safety plans” were in place.
TfL said it was working to see if the libraries could make a return to non-subsurface Tube stations in future, which would be allowed if measures to mitigate fire risks are taken.
But book lovers who have used the libraries said the measure was heavy-handed, with one telling the Standard: “It's unclear why a few second hand books pose such a great and imminent fire risk, one much more serious than that of the dust and debris on the platforms, tracks and escalators.
“Or even why the paper in the books shelved at street level far away from the tracks is a fire hazard, but the paper used for billboard posters just feet from the tracks is not.”
Another added online: “My local tube stop Oval had a great little public book exchange sat near the gates.
“But apparently despite being there for years the meddling bureaucrats have decided a couple of books near a tiled wall are a fire hazard. Why can’t we have nice things?”
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson pointed to statutory regulations placed on TfL which require them to keep subsurface Tube stations to be “clear of any accumulation” of “combustible matter.”
“Ensuring the safety of those using the London transport network is our priority,” the spokesperson said.
“We are working with Transport for London 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 TfL spokesperson confirmed the book swaps had been removed at the Fire Brigade’s request.
“We’d like to apologise to any of our customers that this impacts and we are reviewing our processes for these internally and will work with the Fire Service to see if book swaps can be re-introduced at some stations across the network in the future,” the spokesperson said.
“We will also work with local communities to redistribute books to alternative local locations in the meantime.”
