Businesses and politicians in Angel are demanding transparency over the potential year-long closure of Angel tube station, following a briefing from Transport for London (TfL) about the extent of repairs needed to the station's escalators – some of the longest on the network. TfL has not confirmed a concrete plan, but the station could close completely or become exit-only within a week.
The station went into exit-only mode after an escalator broke down on Monday night. Martin Klute, Labour councillor for St Peter's and Canalside, told the Tribune he believes the station is definitely closing. "This is what happens when you ignore maintenance until something breaks," he said.
Councillors and businesses left in the dark
Cllr Klute said he had heard nothing directly from TfL, and that it is now TfL's responsibility to be upfront with locals about the station's future so that passengers and local businesses can plan accordingly. "They're trying to pretend it's not as bad as it really is," he said. "They've got egg on their face. They've got themselves in this situation by not keeping up with proper maintenance. It's going to be disastrous for the economy in the Angel, and TfL will have to lay on a whole load more buses."
Council leader Councillor Una O'Halloran wrote to TfL privately after its commissioner briefed them to express her frustration that the council had been kept in the dark about the state of the escalators until crisis point. London Centric reported that in the letter to TfL commissioner Andy Lord, Cllr O'Halloran said: "The handling of this matter has materially damaged our trust and confidence in TfL as a partner."
TfL has denied delaying updates, but did not respond to the Tribune's request for a response this week.
Traders fear long-term damage to Angel economy
Ben Stephenson, head of the Angel Business Improvement District (BID), said traders around the area are "deeply concerned" about the potential of part or full closure. The BID found out about the news from councillors, and was only directly briefed by TfL last Friday. "We are really surprised that TfL let it get to a critical stage before informing the businesses who stand to lose the most," said Mr Stephenson.
"The Angel economy relies on customers for shops, bars, its restaurants, its culture. Our concern is if there's a complete closure, customers are habit-forming. They will go elsewhere, and the recovery, even after the refurbishment, could potentially take years. So we're extremely concerned about it."
Mr Stephenson said he felt that TfL was yet to brief businesses in the Angel properly. When the Tribune visited the area on Tuesday, several retail and hospitality workers and shop owners said they were unaware of the potential closure, and those that were expressed concern over a fall in footfall. Paula Sheary from homeware shop Haygen called the news "really concerning" at an "already really difficult time for retail".
BID calls for delay and economic assessment
The BID wants TfL to delay making the station exit-only until after the Christmas period as well as commissioning an economic assessment so the least-worst option can be explored. "I have a message to customers, which is to remember the Angel when they're doing their Christmas shopping this year and booking their Christmas dinners, because it's going to need support from the people that love it," added Mr Stephenson.
