No plan to widen Tube platforms despite safety risk

Potential safety concerns were found following an incident at Clapham Common last year

Despite concerns over safety and capacity, the Mayor of London has admitted no plans are in place to widen a narrow set of platforms at two Tube stations.

Clapham Common and Clapham North, on the Northern line, have the network’s only underground 'island' platforms, with a width of 3.7m (12ft).

Transport for London (TfL) has said widening them would cost too much time and money.

However, it has said it will keep the platform safety at these locations under review.

Potential safety risks were highlighted in the Rail Accident Investigation Branch's report following an incident at Clapham Common in May last year. After the train began to fill with smoke, about 100 commuters escaped by forcing themselves through smashed windows on to the platform.

Last month, Marina Ahmad, the Labour London Assembly member for Lambeth and Southwark, asked whether the mayor would look into risks at small island stations, and whether increasing platform sizes would be "better for capacity, the economy and safety".

Mr Khan said: "TfL has considered the potential safety risk closely, including the possibility of widening these platforms.

"Such works would require closure of the stations for a considerable period of time.

"There would also be significant costs.

"At this stage, TfL does not have any proposals to undertake such works and considers that it can manage the risk to customers effectively with current measures."