Caution urged over public space use as London pavements hit 57C

Anna Mavrogianni, professor of sustainable, healthy and equitable built environment at the University College London (UCL), said the images “help us think about heat risks differently”.

Speaking to the BBC, Mavrogianni warned of the dangers of being around such hot surfaces and said it was “important to assess the levels of heat exposure in playgrounds and other public spaces before spending time there with children or pets.”

The professor added the images highlighted the importance of “embedding climate resilience in urban design”, essentially heat-proofing London for the future in the way it is built.

“Overheating is a public health and social justice issue,” Mavrogianni added.

“A lot of solutions already exist: incorporating greenery and water features, using innovative reflective materials and providing shading are key priorities.

“These need to be applied in an inclusive manner to ensure they are appropriate for the most heat vulnerable groups.”

“It is encouraging that there are now significant efforts to improve heat resilience across London, and public awareness around heat risks is increasing,” she added.