Transport for London is considering closing Angel Underground station for up to a year while it replaces the station’s ageing escalators.
Angel station, known for its record-breaking escalators, is facing possible closure as TfL plans to replace the ageing machines. The escalators, which have been in service for nearly 35 years and transport almost 12 million passengers a year, have reached the end of their operational lifespan.
One of the three escalators broke down in April, and TfL has warned that the second could fail at any moment. The third escalator is projected to last for only two more years.
To manage the situation, TfL is considering making the station exit-only during off-peak hours from November. That would mean passengers could leave the station but not enter it during evenings and weekends.
TfL has said it is not safe for passengers to use the escalators as fixed staircases because of their length, and there are no other safe options for moving passengers between the ticket hall and the lower concourse.
Design work for the new escalators is expected to begin this autumn and could take around a year. Once the design phase is complete, TfL will face the decision of either closing the station completely for about 12 months or opting for a phased closure, which would take longer as each escalator is replaced one by one.
Islington Council has expressed concern over the potential closure. In a letter seen by London Centric, council leader Una O’Halloran warned that a total closure would be “devastating” for local businesses. She also accused TfL of delaying the planning process until the escalators had already failed.
Richard Jones, director of asset performance delivery for London Underground, cited many years of wear on the machines as the reason for the replacement programme.
The possible closure is the latest pressure on the capital’s transport network this autumn, coming as the Elizabeth line has faced severe delays and motorists have dealt with major motorway disruption.
