London's daily commuters are intimately familiar with the intricate underground network and the unwritten etiquette of escalator behaviour. Whether you're a right-side stander, allowing the escalator to handle all the effort, or a left-side rusher, determined to catch the soonest available Tube, these escalators are a vital component of London travel.
Government statistics show that roughly two million passengers use the Tube each day, creating substantial pressure on these escalators to move people quickly and effectively. While certain Tube stations are celebrated for their magnificent tiles, striking lampposts, distinctive artwork or historic posters, Angel station possesses a particular claim to fame — it houses the Underground's longest escalator.
Angel's Escalator: A Record-Breaker
Located on Islington Road, Angel features an escalator stretching an impressive 1,970 centimetres, or 60 feet, in length with a vertical climb of 27.5 metres. It is among the 14 stations where escalators offer the only route to the Tube platforms.
This escalator is the second longest in the United Kingdom, exceeded only by one at Heathrow Airport's Terminal Five. According to research on the mathematics of the London Underground by The Royal Academy of Engineering, escalators on the transport system travel at a velocity of 0.75 metres per second. In theory, the journey up Angel's enormous 60-metre-long escalator should take one minute and 20 seconds.
History and Controversy
Angel station, which initially opened its doors in 1901, has frequently struggled with overcrowding owing to its busy character. In 2007, a Norwegian thrill-seeker courted controversy after recording himself skiing down the escalator at Angel station, according to the BBC. The audacious stuntman plummeted nearly 200 feet towards the platforms below, achieving speeds approaching 30 miles per hour.
His risky stunt rapidly became a YouTube sensation, although Transport for London officials were distinctly unimpressed. They condemned his actions, stating: "This is a dangerous, stupid and irresponsible act that could have resulted in serious injury or death to not only the individual concerned but also other passengers." In the wake of their condemnation, they delivered a firm caution: "London Underground will press for the police to take the strongest possible action against anyone attempting a similar act on the Tube network."
