Commuters in North London are expressing significant anger and frustration over a two-and-a-half month partial closure of Southgate Tube station, which began on Monday, January 5. The Piccadilly line station has been made 'exit-only' until mid-March while essential maintenance is carried out on one of its two escalators.
Commuters Face Lengthy Diversions and Delays
The closure means passengers cannot enter the station to board trains, forcing them onto already busy rush-hour buses to reach other stations on the line. This has added considerable time to daily journeys. Christopher Ellis, who works in Canary Wharf, told local media that his commute has been extended by 30 minutes each way.
"It's caused major disruption," he said. "My commute is already an hour so it makes my journey an hour and a half, so I now spend three hours travelling every day. I already get home from work quite late so it's added to the length of the day."
Alternative bus routes advised by Transport for London (TfL) include:
- The 121 bus to Oakwood station.
- The 298 bus to Cockfosters or Arnos Grove stations.
- The 382 bus to Arnos Grove station.
Calls for Stair Access Ignored Amid Public Backlash
Many residents and regular users of the station argue that TfL's approach is excessive. A petition launched in early December, which gathered 1,300 signatures, called for the plans to be reconsidered. Some suggested making the station 'entry only' in the morning and 'exit only' in the evening to minimise disruption while allowing works to continue.
Commuters like Omar Hammad question why the fixed staircase cannot be used for access to the platforms. "It's stupid, they're closing the station for this long just because the escalators aren't working," he said. "Most of us could just use the stairs, there should just be a sign outside telling people to take the stairs if they can."
TfL Apologises But Stresses Essential Safety Work
Richard Jones, TfL's Director of Asset Performance Delivery, has apologised to customers for the inconvenience. In a statement, he explained that the work is necessary for long-term reliability. "The work will ensure ongoing safety, provide better reliability and reduce the risk of longer unplanned closures," he said.
He confirmed that the station's other escalator will operate in the upwards direction only during this period and urged passengers to use the TfL Journey Planner or TfL Go app for alternative routes. The closure echoes similar disruption at Colindale station in late 2024, which also sparked severe criticism over inadequate replacement transport.
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between essential infrastructure maintenance on London's ageing transport network and the daily needs of its passengers, with many feeling their practical solutions are being overlooked by the authorities.
