Angel Underground station, located in North London on the Northern line's Bank branch, is home to the longest escalator on the entire Tube network. The escalator measures 60 metres (196 feet) with a vertical rise of 27.5 metres, making it a notable feature among the network's 272 stations across 11 lines.
In 2007, the escalator's length attracted the attention of a Norwegian daredevil who filmed himself skiing down it. The stunt, which saw the man reach speeds of nearly 30mph, drew sharp criticism from Transport for London (TfL), which labelled the act as 'stupid and irresponsible.'
Station Details and Accessibility
Angel station sits on Islington Road at the north-eastern edge of Zone 1, sandwiched between Old Street and King's Cross St. Pancras. It is one of 14 stations across the Tube network where escalators are the only route to the platforms, meaning it is not the most accessible station for passengers with mobility issues.
The ride on the huge escalator takes approximately one minute and 20 seconds. Interestingly, it is the second-longest escalator in the country, surpassed only by the escalator at Heathrow Airport's Terminal Five, which measures 71.3 feet (though this figure appears to be a typo in the original report, as 71.3 feet is shorter than 196 feet; the source states this figure).
TfL's Response to the Stunt
In a scathing statement, TfL condemned the 196-foot stunt, saying: "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."
The transport body also threatened to take police action against any copycats. It added: "London Underground will press for the police to take the strongest possible action against anyone attempting a similar act on the Tube network."
Station History and Security
Angel station originally opened in 1901 and was built by the City & South London Railway. It served as a terminus until the line was extended to Euston in 1907. The station was refurbished in 2007, a project that left a total of 77 CCTV cameras scanning the station.
The incident highlights the potential dangers of such stunts, and TfL's firm stance serves as a deterrent to anyone considering similar actions on the network.
