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Pimlico station loses its down escalator from 9 October until late December
There is no lift at Pimlico, so passengers heading to the platforms will have to take the stairs, and TfL points step-free travellers to buses for Vauxhall.
Key facts
- Pimlico's down escalator is closed from Friday 9 October until late December 2026
- The up escalator keeps running, and there is no lift at the station
- Both escalators were installed in 1972 and have caused almost 50 disruptions in two years
- TfL suggests buses to Vauxhall from Bessborough Street: routes 2, 36 and 185 at stop D, route 360 at stop H
Passengers at Pimlico Tube station will have no down escalator from Friday 9 October until late December, while Transport for London carries out maintenance. The up escalator will keep running.
There is no lift at the station. Until the work is finished, anyone heading down to the trains will have to walk down the fixed staircase.
Why the Pimlico escalator is closing
Both escalators went in during 1972, and TfL has confirmed they are beyond their original design life. Faults with the pair have disrupted the station almost 50 times over the last two years. The down escalator has deteriorated faster than the other one, and TfL says it needs the “most significant intervention”.
A TfL spokesperson said the work would make it more reliable “in the short and longer term” and lower the chance of unplanned closures. TfL apologised for the disruption and said it would give an update once the job was done.
Step-free alternatives during the closure
For passengers who are unable to manage stairs, TfL suggests getting to Vauxhall station by bus from Bessborough Street instead. Stop D is served by routes 2, 36 and 185, while the 360 leaves from stop H.
Jason Williams, a councillor for Pimlico South, warned that the closure would hit residents hard, older and disabled people most of all. After two years of repeated breakdowns, he said, people needed confidence that there would be a lasting fix. He welcomed the promise of better reliability but questioned why TfL was still repairing escalators installed in 1972 instead of putting in new ones. “With roadworks already causing significant disruption across Pimlico, reliable access to the Tube is more important than ever,” he said.
Key questions
When is the Pimlico Tube escalator closed?
The down escalator is out of use from Friday 9 October until late December 2026. The up escalator stays open.
Is there step-free access at Pimlico station during the closure?
No, the station has no lift. TfL suggests taking a bus to Vauxhall station from Bessborough Street: the 2, 36 or 185 from stop D, or the 360 from stop H.
Why is the Pimlico escalator being closed?
TfL says both escalators date from 1972 and are past their design life. The down escalator has started failing more often, and the maintenance is meant to make it more reliable.
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