London Tube station escalator to close for three months after nearly 50 disruptions

An escalator at Pimlico Tube station will close for nearly three months after years of disruption caused by technical failures.There have been almost 50 instances of disruption at the Central London station in the last two years due to issues caused by both of the escalators. Transport for London has confirmed that both escalators, which date back to the 1970s, are beyond their original design life.However the descending escalator has experienced a quicker decline and therefore needs the “most significant intervention”. The down escalator will be closed between Friday, October 9 and late December this year, although the up escalator will remain unaffected.Pimlico Station does not have a lift which means that those who rely on the escalators to access the station will be unable to use it until the new year.Councillor for Pimlico South, Jason Williams, said: “The escalator closure will be a major disruption for Pimlico residents, particularly older and disabled residents. After repeated problems over the past two years, residents need confidence that there is a lasting solution.“TfL says this maintenance will improve reliability in both the short and longer term, which is welcome. But they have also confirmed that Pimlico’s escalators date from 1972. The fundamental question therefore remains: why are we continuing to maintain equipment that is more than half a century old rather than replacing it?“With roadworks already causing significant disruption across Pimlico, reliable access to the Tube is more important than ever.”Transport for London has apologised for the inconvenience that the closure will cause to station users, as well as signposting to alternative travel options.A spokesperson for the transport body said: “The closure at Pimlico will facilitate essential maintenance work to improve the reliability of the down escalator. The escalators were installed in 1972 and the escalator that is being closed has begun to fail more often than the other.“The maintenance will make it more reliable in the short and longer term, and will reduce the risk of unplanned closures. We apologise to customers for the disruption, and will update when the work has been completed.”Read MoreCustomers will be able to access the platforms using the fixed staircase while the escalator is closed. Those who cannot use the stairs can take bus routes 2, 36 or 185 (stop D) or bus service 360 (stop H) on Bessborough Street to Vauxhall station.