London's longest Tube escalator, located at Angel station, has become a source of both dread and fascination for commuters, with some describing it as 'terrifying' and even claiming it causes hallucinations. The escalator, which boasts a length of 61 metres and a vertical rise of 27 metres, is one of only 14 in the network where it provides the sole access to the platform.
Angel's 'Stairway to Heaven'
Angel station, one of the busiest in London, serves almost 12 million visitors each year, all of whom must navigate the 318-step climb. In contrast, Stratford's escalator has a rise of just 4.1 metres, while Russell Square's rises 24 metres. The Angel escalator's sheer scale has earned it the nickname 'stairway to heaven'.
Social media is filled with TikToks about the 'never-ending' escalator. One user, @hauntingzombie, commented on a video posted five days ago that he 'nearly died' attempting the climb and had to rest his head between the two escalators to catch his breath. Another, @dupesxo, recalled running up the escalator to avoid being late for a seminar, saying: 'I swear my life flashed before my eyes three times'.
Vertigo, Motion Sickness, and Hallucinations
Several users have reported 'unreal motion sickness' and 'vertigo' from the ride. @rosekinza shared: 'I went on this once and my fear of heights made me so dizzy and my legs so wobbly!' Another user, @ahmad, described an unsettling experience: 'Is it just me or do you guys also hallucinate when you look up or down?'
Not all memories are negative. Blaise Kelly, 27, a former Angel resident, told Metro: 'The Angel escalator is the perfect place to stand and just take in the day. It was often longer than my actual commute.' She also recalled an awkward ride: 'I was stood with a boy that I was in a situationship with at the bottom of the escalator, and by the time we reached the top, things were over.'
Maintenance Concerns and Potential Closure
The escalators are also infamous for breaking down. In April, one of the station's three 200ft escalators failed, and Transport for London (TfL) fears the second could soon suffer a similar fate. To avoid this, the station may need to close for up to a year for vital maintenance work. Officials are reportedly considering making the station exit-only during off-peak times from next month to allow initial repairs.
Such a closure would cause significant disruption to the local community, though it might finally put an end to the terrifying escalator haunting commuters' dreams.
