London climate change warning

8:06am Saturday 1st October 2005

LONDONERS should be adapting themselves to the changing climate and the affects that warmer weather will have on the city's transport network.

That is the warning from the Climate Change Partnership, a body set up to identify the impact of climate change.

Its chairman Gerry Archer, along with London's deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron, yesterday outlined the work they are doing to prepare people for the changes they say will eventually take place.

The Partnership said that increased risk of flooding could mean increased disruption to rail services and more closed stations.

Mr Acher said that although London's flood defences were due to last until 2030, the risk of more localized flooding brought on by increased rainfall could not be ignored.

Construction companies, he warned, must take heed and ensure that designs for transport terminals incorporate design which will help flood water drain away quickly.

Longer, hotter summers will also mean the prospect of buckling railway lines. Some rails have already been affected by hot weather and the phenomenon, the Partnership claims, looks set to increase with the soaring temperatures.

One of the group's main concerns is the stifling rush-hour heat endured by millions of people on deep Underground lines.

While work is underway to bring relief to those lines closer to the surface, the deep lines remain a problem.

According to Mr Acher, people will need to change their habits and avoid the hottest hours of the day if they are prone to the heat.

Despite the warnings, Mr Acher insisted his message was not a grim one.

"We are already working with people to think about climate change and do something about it," he said. "We are not the only country where this is happening, this affects the whole world. The fact that we are thinking about it now is good news, not grim news."

For those in any doubt about the affects of climate change, he added: "People cannot scoff at the fact that our climate is changing. In the last two years we have seen the very hot days of the 1950s become the norm.

"And in 50 years time the very hot days that we have now will become the norm. We are going to have enjoyable sunny days and warmer winters, but certain aspects in relation to travel are going to be more difficult."