Holborn station has today started a six-month trial of ‘standing only’ escalators. As anyone who has travelled on the London Underground will know, standing on the left of the escalator is an inexcusable crime, which will attract tuts from many angry Londoners running late for work. However, if the trial is successful, this could become the norm across more – or even all – tube stations.
A previous trial resulted in 30 per cent less congestion, according to Transport for London. This may be great for those who are incapable – but in most cases, simply too lazy — to walk up the escalators. It’s not so great for highly strung Londoners like me who get itchy at the thought of standing on a creeping escalator. In an age where we are being encouraged to take more exercise in order to curb rising obesity levels, surely encouraging more standing and less walking is counterintuitive.
The other danger is the confusion it will cause.
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