Barnet Tube stations face escalator delays as TfL cuts back on replacements
High Barnet and Edgware stations rely on ageing escalators as London-wide repairs fall behind schedule
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Trust 74 thanks to named source, FOI data, specific figures and dates, but only one outlet cited.
Higher is stronger
Critic 87 for clear impact, balanced quotes, precise data and coherent narrative.
Higher is stronger
Hype low (15) as language is measured without clickbait or exaggeration.
Lower is better
Passengers at High Barnet and Edgware Tube stations could face longer delays or temporary closures as Transport for London reduces its escalator replacement programme. New figures show 153 of the network’s 566 escalators are now operating beyond their expected lifespan, including those serving Barnet’s busiest stations.
TfL spent £56.1 million on escalator maintenance and upgrades in the 2025-26 financial year, according to data released by the mayor’s office. Of this, £38.6 million covered operating costs, while £17.5 million was allocated to capital projects. An additional £1.3 million was spent on emergency call-outs for breakdowns.
TfL escalators past lifespan risk commuter shift from Tube, Labour warns
Elly Baker says unreliable escalators could undermine City Hall’s 2041 transport targets for London
Barnet stations among those affected
High Barnet station, which serves around 5.5 million passengers annually, has three escalators, all installed in the 1990s. Edgware station, used by approximately 4.2 million passengers each year, has two escalators, one of which dates back to the 1980s. Neither station has seen a full replacement in over a decade.
A TfL spokesperson told the BBC that 95% of escalators remain available to passengers, despite heavy usage. However, the spokesperson acknowledged that some escalators require temporary closures or increased maintenance to ensure safety. Funding for replacements is now prioritised based on usage and condition assessments across the entire TfL network.
TfL escalators past lifespan force repairs and station closures
More than a quarter of London Underground escalators now exceed their expected working life, Transport for London data shows
Shift to risk-based maintenance raises concerns
Elly Baker, transport spokesperson for the City Hall Labour group, criticised TfL’s decision to move from a fixed replacement schedule to a risk-based approach. Previously, escalators were refurbished after 20 years and replaced after 40. Baker said the new model has led to more unexpected breakdowns, which could discourage passengers from using the Tube.
It's really important that we make sure escalators are working on the Tube, but I am concerned that TfL aren't giving it enough of a priority.
Elly Baker, City Hall Labour transport spokesperson
Baker’s concerns follow City Hall’s target to increase the proportion of journeys made by walking, cycling, or public transport to 80% by 2041. Reliable escalators are seen as critical to maintaining accessibility, particularly for elderly passengers and those with mobility issues.
What happens next
TfL has not disclosed which escalators will be prioritised for replacement. Residents can report faults via TfL’s website or the TfL Oyster app. Repairs are typically assessed within 24 hours, with temporary closures implemented if safety risks are identified.
Questions this report answers
+How many escalators on the London Underground are past their expected lifespan?
As of July 2026, 153 of the 566 London Underground escalators are operating beyond their expected lifespan. This includes escalators at High Barnet and Edgware stations, which have not been fully replaced in over a decade.
+What is TfL doing to fix the escalators?
TfL spent £56.1 million on escalator maintenance and upgrades in 2025-26, including emergency repairs. However, it has shifted to a risk-based approach, prioritising repairs over scheduled replacements, which may lead to more unexpected breakdowns.
+How can residents report a faulty escalator?
Residents can report faulty escalators via TfL’s website or the TfL Oyster app. Repairs are assessed within 24 hours, and temporary closures may be implemented if safety risks are identified.
+Will Barnet stations get new escalators soon?
TfL has not confirmed which escalators will be prioritised for replacement. Funding is allocated based on usage and condition assessments across the entire network, so it is unclear when High Barnet or Edgware stations will receive upgrades.
News London Desk
This article was written at the News London news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs News LondonCorrections
The London Ledger
A considered capital-wide edit delivered each morning.
More Coverage in Transport & TfL
TfL escalators past lifespan risk commuter shift from Tube, Labour warns