Islington council is 'deeply concerned' as Angel Tube station is to become exit-only at weekends over its ageing 35-year-old escalators

Angel Tube station will become exit-only at weekends and bank holidays from 2 January 2027, after one of its three escalators was already taken out of service in April due to deteriorated condition. TfL warns that if the remaining two escalators both fail simultaneously, the station — which handles almost 12 million passengers a year — would have to close entirely, as the 60-metre shafts are too long to use as fixed staircases. Islington Council leader Cllr Una O'Halloran says the council was brought into the conversation "at a late stage" and is pushing TfL to minimise disruption to local businesses and cultural venues.

TfL blames "legacy of historic shortfalls in government funding" for the inability to replace the 35-year-old escalators.

Weekend passengers who would normally enter at Angel are advised to use alternative nearby stations from January.

Design work on replacing the escalators is due to begin this autumn, though no timeline for full restoration has been given.