Commuters in North London face a tough six-month wait for escalator repairs at Blackhorse Road station, causing major travel disruptions.
London: Commuters are really feeling the pinch at Blackhorse Road station. The escalators are out of action for six whole months, and it’s a real hassle.
Transport for London just announced that the repairs won’t be done until late June. So, folks have to trek down the long escalator to catch the Victoria Line or find another station nearby.
The work kicked off on Thursday, and Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy shared some wild footage of crowds spilling back to the entrance. It’s a bit of a nightmare.
She’s been vocal about how this is going to create chaos for anyone trying to hop on a train, especially since the lift at Walthamstow Central is also out of service.
Stella mentioned, “They’ve decided to fix the escalators, and it’s going to take six months. That’s a long time compared to past repairs.”
Now, people can only walk down the existing escalator to reach the platform. It’s quite a trek, especially since Tube stations are usually pretty deep underground.
She also pointed out that Walthamstow stations aren’t accessible. If you’re in a wheelchair, you’re out of luck. It’s something she’s been working on with local campaigners.
For those with mobility issues, buggies, or heavy bags, the escalators were a lifesaver. Now, they’re stuck without that option.
Stella’s calling for more bus services and changes to the rules so that more than two buggies can fit on a bus at once. This would help families in Walthamstow get to Tottenham Hale quicker.
She added, “There are no extra services. No one’s thought about how to handle the delays from this situation. Asking people to walk down that long escalator is just not practical.”
“You can’t just cut off access to a major station without a plan for where everyone’s supposed to go.”
Just last month, passengers at a DLR station in south-east London had to climb 121 stairs because of a broken escalator. People were furious, calling it a “national disgrace.”
All four escalators at Cutty Sark DLR station in Greenwich were also out of action for months. TfL hasn’t commented yet.
