Cutty Sark closes for a year until 2026

[bluerun46]

As much as escalators are big machinery, any ideas as to why Cutty Sark is being closed for a year for the sole reason to replace 4 escalators? Is it a logistics issue with getting parts in and out of site or is Cutty Sark inherently a uniquely complex site?

 

[brad465]

Escalator replacement takes forever at any given location. Several Underground stations have had long closures as well for them; Kentish Town was 18 months for escalator replacement (albeit 6 months longer than planned).

 

[Recessio]

What is the reason they can't replace one escalator at a time, and instead need to close the station entirely?

 

[swr444]

What is the reason they can't replace one escalator at a time, and instead need to close the station entirely?

Because all of the escalators were broken and you had to walk down the emergency staircase to get to the platform.

 

[CarltonA]

This does not bode well for Reading, I imagine action will need to be taken about the lack of reliability with the majority of theirs sooner or later.

 

[stuu]

Cutty Sark has two pairs of escalators with a landing in between, it's a very narrow space as it was done for a tiny budget which no doubt influenced the choice of escalators. Replacing them will be a tricky job

 

[Recessio]

Because all of the escalators were broken and you had to walk down the emergency staircase to get to the platform.

Ah I see. A pretty sorry state of affairs to be in!

 

[ShadowKnight]

This does not bode well for Reading, I imagine action will need to be taken about the lack of reliability with the majority of theirs sooner or later.

The cutty Sark situation is unique as the Lewisham extension of the DLR was a PPP scheme where the builders of the route (CGL rail) would operate the concession until 2021 before ownership and operation would revert to TFL. So CGL deliberately didn't maintain the escalators for a lifespan beyond 2021 and left TFL with the bill to replace escalators and rehabilitate the Lewisham extension

 

[Benjwri]

This does not bode well for Reading, I imagine action will need to be taken about the lack of reliability with the majority of theirs sooner or later.

Reading is its own mess, but there are stairs in at least one side, and it’s fairly common for at least one platform to have the escalator boarded off long term for major repairs.

 

[bramling]

Reading is its own mess, but there are stairs in at least one side, and it’s fairly common for at least one platform to have the escalator boarded off long term for major repairs.

The escalators between NR and LU at Euston seem no better. It feels like a rarity for all three to be in full working order.

As for Cutty Sark, I used it a couple of months ago. Whilst using the stairs didn’t bother me, a lot of people were struggling, and the whole atmosphere felt very down-at-heel. Certainly not impressive for a station that is fairly well used by tourists.