Councillor’s plan for Tube’s hot air
A DISUSED Underground station is the key to keeping Islington’s renewable energy plans on track, according to one councillor.
Vents at the City Road station, closed in 1922, pours out hot air generated by the Northern line below.
Clerkenwell Councillor George Allan has proposed that this heat be harnessed to generate energy for nearby houses.
Speaking at the south area committee meeting, Cllr Allan said: “Huge amounts of heat are being wastefully allowed to flow out of the City Road Underground station. This is an untapped source of energy that pours out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Cllr Allan suggested that using the heat could provide electricity far more effectively than the wind turbine on top of neighbouring Kestrel House.
Ruth Newton, Islington’s senior sustainability officer, said: “It’s a good idea but it will need to be discussed with Transport for London. It’s definitely something that I will raise with them.”
The City Road station was last used during the Second World War as an air raid shelter.
ALEXANDER WALTERS