Angel Tube station faces year-long closure over escalator replacement
Transport for London is considering shutting the Islington station for 12 months to replace its three 200-ft escalators.
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Angel Underground station in Islington could face a full year of closure as Transport for London (TfL) plans to replace its three 200-ft escalators. The station, which serves almost 12 million passengers annually, has escalators that are 35 years old and are becoming increasingly unreliable and difficult to maintain, according to TfL.
Potential closure options
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TfL is considering two main options for the replacement work. One possibility is a 12-month full closure of the station to allow both faulty escalators to be worked on simultaneously. Alternatively, the station could remain partially open, with work carried out on one escalator at a time. This latter option might involve making the station exit-only during off-peak periods from November to manage passenger flow while repairs are underway. TfL stated that the escalators are too long to be safely operated as fixed staircases, and there is no safe alternative for moving passengers between the ticket hall and mid-concourse levels if they are out of service.
Escalator condition and network-wide issues
Freedom of Information data released in July shows that 153 of the London Underground's 566 escalators are scheduled for upgrades. This situation arises as many escalators are operating beyond their expected shelf life. In the 2025/26 financial year, TfL allocated £56.1 million towards escalator maintenance and upgrades. This figure comprised £38.6 million for operating expenditure and £17.5 million for capital expenditure. An additional £1.3 million was spent on reactive maintenance call-outs for escalators during the same period.
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Richard Jones, Director of Asset Performance Delivery for London Underground, noted that the age of the Angel escalators means their renewal or replacement is a challenging and expensive project. He indicated that TfL has not been able to invest in new escalators at the station for many years due to constrained government funding for essential asset renewals. Jones added that making the station exit-only during specific periods would extend the escalators' working life and provide more time for planning the next steps.
Community impact and wider concerns
The potential closure has raised concerns among local stakeholders. Former Liberal Democrat London mayoral candidate Rob Blackie commented that the situation at Angel could be a result of TfL reducing spending on escalator maintenance. He expressed worry about the wider implications for the transport network and questioned whether current funding decisions were a mistake.
Next steps
Design work for replacing the escalators at Angel station is scheduled to commence in autumn 2026. TfL stated that they will work closely with local stakeholders to mitigate disruption as much as possible.
Questions this report answers
+Why might Angel Tube station close?
Angel station may need to close for up to a year because its three 200-ft escalators, which are 35 years old, require replacement. These escalators are becoming unreliable and difficult to maintain, and TfL has determined there is no safe way to operate the station if they are out of service.
+How many passengers use Angel station?
Angel Underground station serves almost 12 million passengers each year. The station's escalators are the longest on the Underground network, and their condition necessitates significant work or potential closure.
+How much does TfL spend on escalator maintenance?
In the 2025/26 financial year, Transport for London spent £56.1 million on escalator maintenance and upgrades. This included £38.6 million in operating expenditure and £17.5 million in capital expenditure, alongside £1.3 million for reactive maintenance call-outs.
+When will design work for the new escalators begin?
Design work for the replacement of the escalators at Angel station is scheduled to begin in autumn 2026. TfL plans to work with local stakeholders to minimise disruption during the upcoming phases of planning and construction.
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