Piccadilly line trains will serve South Kensington station again from Wednesday, 1st June, just in time for the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday.
Trains have not been stopping at the station since 27 February 2021 while five escalators that serve the Piccadilly Line were replaced.
Work to replace the escalators has been complex, but all five Piccadilly Line escalators at the station have now been replaced. Installed in 1973 and at the end of their lifespan, they and had become unreliable and were the highest priority escalators for replacement on the Tube network.
The new escalators are more energy-efficient, more reliable, and less prone to failures than their predecessors.
During the closure, the Piccadilly line platforms, stairs, and corridors leading to them have all been deep cleaner. The arcade stairways have also been re-painted, tiles at the top and bottom of the new escalators replaced, and customer areas between the escalators have been re-surfaced.
Esther Sharples, TfL's Director of Asset Performance and Capital Delivery, said: “I'd like to thank our customers for their patience while Piccadilly line services have been non-stopping at South Kensington. Replacing the nearly 50-year-old escalators with new, high-performing machines will mean more reliable journeys for Piccadilly line customers for decades to come, whether they are using the station as a local resident, for work or to access the area's world-famous cultural attractions.
“I'm delighted that the Piccadilly line will serve South Kensington again ahead of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which will bring more visitors to the area as they seek to enjoy all that this vibrant area of London has to offer.”
Emily Candler, Executive Director of Exhibition Road Cultural Group, said: “I am delighted that South Kensington will have a full service again making it easier for people to come to all the exciting events and activities here. The Great Exhibition Road Festival returns on 18-19 June and we're gearing up for a fantastic summer with free activities for all ages, great exhibitions, and unforgettable performances.
“The station being fully open for the first time since the pandemic will make a huge difference to visitors, staff, students and residents and help us to welcome people back to London's original cultural district.”
