BUS drivers have warned that soaring temperatures in their cabs risk causing fatal crashes, as more than 1,500 Arriva North London drivers began two days of strike action yesterday.

Drivers reported cab temperatures exceeding 40°C, with some falling ill with heatstroke or narrowly avoiding crashes.

Peter Crane, 62, showed a photo of his cab reading 44°C, saying: “It’s like being in a greenhouse.

“You can’t walk out. Why can’t we have air-con? Why can’t we be comfortable and safe?”

Driver Peter Skinner, 56, said a pregnant colleague had passed out after stepping out of her cab, adding: “How long is it going to be before a driver does pass out at the wheel?

“Think of the carnage of a 14-tonne bus with 80 people in it.”

Unite regional officer Steve Stockwell said conditions this summer were “some of the worst they’ve ever been,” calling for both Transport for London and operators to act to install air conditioning across the fleet.

Arriva London managing director Wasim Mohammed said the company was “working closely with Transport for London” and investing in upgraded air conditioning, calling on the union to “come back to the negotiating table.”