London Underground commuters are fuming over a two-month closure of a Tube station, which they call 'stupid'. The Piccadilly line station at Southgate has been 'exit-only' since January 5th, with one of its two escalators being repaired. This has forced commuters to take busy rush-hour buses to other Tube stations, adding an extra 30 minutes to their daily commute. Transport for London (TfL) faced severe backlash from Southgate residents when the closure was announced, with 1,300 people signing a petition asking for the plans to be reconsidered. Some commuters have called for the station to be 'entry only' in the morning and 'exit only' in the evening, but this was not enacted by the operator. As a result, commuters like Christopher Ellis, who works in Canary Wharf, now spend an extra 30 minutes travelling to work. Omar Hammad, who takes the bus to work, says the closure until mid-March means he is less likely to see friends during the week. The closure has sparked controversy, with some arguing that the station could have been closed for a shorter period or that the escalator work could have been carried out without closing the station entirely. Last month, TfL director of asset performance delivery Richard Jones apologised to customers but could not give an exact date when Southgate station will fully reopen. 'Essential maintenance work to one of the station's escalators means that customers will not be able to access Piccadilly Line services at Southgate for this period,' he said in a statement. 'The work will ensure ongoing safety, provide better reliability and reduce the risk of longer unplanned closures. The remaining escalator will operate upwards only for this period. Customers are advised to check the TfL journey planner or the TfL Go app for alternative routes.' But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that the station could have been closed for a shorter period or that the escalator work could have been carried out without closing the station entirely. This has sparked debate among commuters and residents, with some calling for better communication and alternatives to be put in place. So, what do you think? Do you agree with the closure, or do you think it could have been handled better? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
