It's quite incredible how long they have been out of action now and the Station is due to be closed for a year while they are fixed. Given this is a major tourist destination it's pretty ludicrous how badly this has been managed.
Bizarre. The escalators have been shut for years. I can't understand what's taking so long, it's a change that regularly happens at other underground stations.
"Station is due to be closed for a year while they are fixed"
Why is it a year rather than a week?! Ridiculous. A year is long enough to build an entirely new station that has escalators, lifts and a 30 floor luxury apartment block on top.
The reasons as stated by tfl, in the middle of an update.from 2/4/25:
"Replacing escalators at this station is complex due to the way the existing escalators were installed. Replacing all four at the same time is the best way to minimise disruption to customers. Limited space at the station meant keeping the station open during the works was not possible."
I'd rather they use the year long closure to completely redo them and make the platform longer too whilst they are at it, all the DLRs are 3 carriages long now and extending the platform so everyone can actually board the train safely will also vastly help the congestion at the station, especially on weekends
the station was built on the cheap as it was done as part of a PFI deal - I wouldn’t be surprised if the closure overruns but they’ll be hoping to get it open again for next year’s marathon.
Yes, the DLR extension was built around the time of the Jubilee Line extension. One was money no object, with massive stations featuring award winning architecture. The other was done with a limited budget...
I worked for CGL Rail for 4 years. The line was opened on time with a big hurrah of how great an engineering feat it was. Moved here after finishing up on JLE. For the next three years the track from Greenwich to Lewisham was clamped together using stretcher bars, Bars that basically strap the two running rails together at the correct gauge. All the chairs (that the rails sit in) had poor fixings to concrete slab. All were replaced. Regular night walks along the track with a pan puller having to pull the clips that hold the rails in their chairs/shoes back in. Always had grief with escalators at Cutty Sark. Classifying Lewisham as now falling under sub-surface regulations will also prove costly. TfL red tape. How can Lewisham honestly have to undergo the same degree of fire protection as (for example), Bank?
I also think that there may be a lot of non-compliance WRT sub surface regulations at Cutty Sark that will take time to rectify. They won’t tell you that an operational station is not compliant, would they? That may be the real reason why they are closing it for a year.
The reasons as stated by tfl, in the middle of an update.from 2/4/25:
"Replacing escalators at this station is complex due to the way the existing escalators were installed. Replacing all four at the same time is the best way to minimise disruption to customers. Limited space at the station meant keeping the station open during the works was not possible."
The reasons as stated by tfl, in the middle of an update.from 2/4/25:
"Replacing escalators at this station is complex due to the way the existing escalators were installed. Replacing all four at the same time is the best way to minimise disruption to customers. Limited space at the station meant keeping the station open during the works was not possible."
I was there a couple of weeks back, the lift works OK, just need patience cos the queue can be quite long .. 121 steps ?, youngsters seem to manage them well even with backpacks and kit, though one young man told me there were only 119 steps, so go on count em! lol
I'd rather they use the year long closure to completely redo them and make the platform longer too whilst they are at it, all the DLRs are 3 carriages long now and extending the platform so everyone can actually board the train safely will also vastly help the congestion at the station, especially on weekends
Cutty Sark is definitely the worse for people not realising until the train has stopped. Also the busiest station south of Canary Wharf. Extending the platform is the least they can do for the 4 (four) years and counting problems with the escalators.
If the station is as busy as what has been mentioned, wouldn't be surprised if TfL also went full on with media advertising to recoup some of the outlay. That too will take time. Exterior Media/Global have just won a new 7 year contract, so guess this will be on their radar
The escalators in stations are a lot different to those in department stores which are secured top and bottom.
They are set in concrete so they have to removed bit by bit and the surface prepared for the new machines and winding gear. The new escalators have to be delivered in sections and assembled on site.
Cutty Sark station was built in a very cramped space. In my past career I had to inspect equipment and signage under escalators - there is very little space in which to work.
By doing all 4 together the task will be a bit easier but not much.
As I understand it platform extensions are not possible,
The escalators in stations are a lot different to those in department stores which are secured top and bottom.
They are set in concrete so they have to removed bit by bit and the surface prepared for the new machines and winding gear. The new escalators have to be delivered in sections and assembled on site.
Cutty Sark station was built in a very cramped space. In my past career I had to inspect equipment and signage under escalators - there is very little space in which to work.
By doing all 4 together the task will be a bit easier but not much.
As I understand it platform extensions are not possible,
The escalator at the Woolwich DLR/ Powis street entrance has been out of action for a few months I reckon now... I am getting ready to vandalise the "Thank you for your patience" sign. If I could only remember my marker pen.
The down escalator at Tower Gateway has been out for about 3 months as well. You've only got to look at how long Kentish Town tube was closed (circa 15 months) to realise how badly these repairs are managed. As far as I could tell when I went through there it had taken 15 months to replace an escalator.
Comments
Why is it a year rather than a week?! Ridiculous. A year is long enough to build an entirely new station that has escalators, lifts and a 30 floor luxury apartment block on top.
"Replacing escalators at this station is complex due to the way the existing escalators were installed. Replacing all four at the same time is the best way to minimise disruption to customers. Limited space at the station meant keeping the station open during the works was not possible."
(Slightly) more at
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2025/april/cutty-sark-station-to-get-four-brand-new-escalators-during-temporary-closure
https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2025/04/02/cutty-sark-dlr-station-closure-new-escalators-may-2025/
Moved here after finishing up on JLE.
For the next three years the track from Greenwich to Lewisham was clamped together using stretcher bars,
Bars that basically strap the two running rails together at the correct gauge.
All the chairs (that the rails sit in) had poor fixings to concrete slab. All were replaced.
Regular night walks along the track with a pan puller having to pull the clips that hold the rails in their chairs/shoes back in.
Always had grief with escalators at Cutty Sark.
Classifying Lewisham as now falling under sub-surface regulations will also prove costly.
TfL red tape. How can Lewisham honestly have to undergo the same degree of fire protection as (for example), Bank?
I also think that there may be a lot of non-compliance WRT sub surface regulations at Cutty Sark that will take time to rectify.
They won’t tell you that an operational station is not compliant, would they?
That may be the real reason why they are closing it for a year.
Seems like what ROTW has posted is probably closer to the truth.
Cutty Sark is definitely the worse for people not realising until the train has stopped. Also the busiest station south of Canary Wharf. Extending the platform is the least they can do for the 4 (four) years and counting problems with the escalators.
Exterior Media/Global have just won a new 7 year contract, so guess this will be on their radar
They are set in concrete so they have to removed bit by bit and the surface prepared for the new machines and winding gear. The new escalators have to be delivered in sections and assembled on site.
Cutty Sark station was built in a very cramped space. In my past career I had to inspect equipment and signage under escalators - there is very little space in which to work.
By doing all 4 together the task will be a bit easier but not much.
As I understand it platform extensions are not possible,