Londoners can’t use the Tube because of their religion

South Kensington underground station cannot by used by a group of Orthodox Jews (Picture: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto)

A group of Orthodox Jews cannot use the London Underground due to their religion, according to reports.

Roughly 1,500 members of the Kohanim – a priestly lineage – are thought to be affected by the fact that South Kensington station connects to the capital’s Science Museum, where a skeleton is on display.

According to the Jewish Chronicle, the Torah states that priests should not be in the presence of – or under the same roof as – the dead unless it is a close relative.

It is understood that being in the presence of a dead body makes a being ‘impure’.

This has caused problems with South Kensington station and its associated connecting lines due to the skeletal remains on show in the medicine gallery of the Science Museum.

One of the entrances to the tube station is located at the side of museum and because it shares this roof some strict Jewish families believe that the impurity laws very much apply.

The strict rule aims to prevent priests from becoming impure in the presence of the dead (Picture: SOPA Images)

As a possible solution, a metal arch over the Tube entranceway was proposed, which in theory would separate it from the museum and the associated remains.

But according to one blogger, this archway has been now refused by Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council.

The council has been approached for comment.

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