Angel Tube Station Could Close for a Full Year Over Ageing Escalators

Angel station on the Northern line faces a potential closure of up to twelve months after two of its three escalators broke down or are on the verge of failure, with the third having only about two years of service life remaining. The escalators have been in operation for nearly 35 years and contribute to TfL's £6.5 billion maintenance backlog; across the entire Underground network, 153 of 566 escalators are operating past their expected lifespan. TfL has described the escalators as "too long to use safely as a fixed staircase," making a partial open arrangement impossible. As an interim measure, TfL is considering making Angel exit-only during off-peak evenings and weekends from November. Design work for replacements is due to begin this autumn. The station handles almost 12 million passengers annually. Alternative Northern line services on the Bank branch are available at King's Cross St Pancras and Old Street.