More than 2,000 people have signed a petition started last month by campaign group ‘Escalate Now!’ after each of the Cutty Sark station escalators failed.
Passengers say they have faced years of disruption as a result of escalator disrepair, and currently have to walk up 121 steps to leave the station via emergency exits.
The petition said: “Transport for London (TfL) is responsible for maintaining its infrastructure in a way that serves all its commuters well.
“This is not the case due to the faulty escalators and the inconvenience their disrepair causes, which affects countless people, some of whom may have difficulty with stairs due to disabilities or other restrictions.”
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Tom Page, general manager for the DLR, has now confirmed that funding has been secured to replace the escalators, although a timeline for when these works will take place is yet to be set.
“We are sorry about the continuing issues with the escalators at Cutty Sark which we appreciate are having significant impact on customers who use the station,” he added.
TfL has also said that it is working with operator KeolisAmey Docklands to ensure announcements are made at stations and on trains warning passengers about the issue with the Cutty Sark escalators.
A one-way system is in place at the station and a small lift is available to use.
“In the vast majority of cases, escalator refurbishment is a cost effective and reliable solution,” a spokesperson said.
“Unfortunately, the issues with these escalators were far more significant and we now need to look to replace these to ensure we can offer a reliable long-lasting service for customers.”
