New Keep Fit regime for commuters at Victoria

Kings Cross St Pancras Underground station is renowned for its deliberate policy of directing unfamiliar passengers via strategically placed signs to take the longer circuitous route from Kings Cross National Rail station exit via the northern ticket hall and barriers to reach the deep level lines.

Those in the know ignore the signs and within  a few strides are through the barriers in the original southern ticket hall, down the escalator and on the platform.

TfL’s attempt to spread the load by nudging passengers by clever signage works well as time precious commuters know how to avoid leisurely wheelie suitcase carrying dawdlers.

No such luck at the new look expanded Victoria Underground ticket hall which showed off its new subterranean route march to weekday commuters this morning. We’re all forced to take the longer route to the platform while the old escalator down side stands idle and taped off. Even the announcements playing out regularly over the PA warn it’ll take three minutes to walk to the platform.

And after two escalators and what seems like a mile of passageway you arrive at the same crowded platform except at its northern end rather than the southern end. Those of us who knew the trick of using the Circle/District Line entrance and easily nipping down to the Victoria Line platform are now thwarted as that’s where everyone else now arrives after their labyrinthine journey.

It was always obvious that with virtual continual tube running on the Victoria and ever over-crowded peak hour platforms, the only thing a new entrance would bring is a way to stop the queuing in the ticket hall backing up to the main line station and instead occupy everyone on a bit of a walk underground for a few minutes. Still, at least it gets the step count up. And should work for another few years until passenger numbers grow and the queues build up again along the new passageways. Just remember to allow for that extra three minutes in your commute.

Roger French (live from Victoria Undergtound station).     27th August 2018