Question for anyone who has recently gone from the ticketing level to the Central/Northern line platforms at the Tottenham Court Road Tube Station in the mornings:<BR>What is the progress on the installation of new escalators at that station ? The work has been going on during my past 3 trips to London.<BR>I'll be back in town in about 6 weeks. Will I still get to dash down allllllllllll those spiral stairs during the morning rush? I walk fairly fast, but there is always someone behind me who wants me to walk even faster down the steps.... clomp, clomp, clomp, 'round and 'round .*S*

I think I was at this tube station in late May. Is this the station near the British Museum? If I've got the right station, I can tell you that I did not have to take any spiral stairs. I think it had a very steep escalator. Maybe someone else can confirm for you as I am probably nearly no help at all, but hey, I tried and I topped your question, so there's that then.

As someone who goes through Tottenham ct rd five days a week (except this morning when it was closed and I had to get a bus grrrr!) I can tell you that the situation is "fluid". Ie it changes daily apparently on a whim.<BR><BR>However I am here to help with a how to cheat guide to the Northern Line. Jump on the main down escalators to the Central line, rather than the stairs, at the bottom of the main flight of escalators turn hard left and make for the short escalator in front of you, it goes to the Northern Line platforms. It's just not publicised.<BR><BR>

David<BR>That's what I do too!<BR>After freezing with fear half way down the spirals one time (I hate going down stairs, up is OK, spirals are worst) and being stuck there for 15 mins till some stranger from the masses rushing past took pity and helped me the rest of the way, I just decided to "sod that" and take the escalator down and do the hard left and left at the bottom.<BR>Kavey the fearful

Hello David and Kavey,<BR>Thank you for the tips.. <BR>I had thought of doing exactly what you each suggested..just nonchalantly sashaying down the escalators as though I were heading for the Central Line..and then at the bottom making a mad bolt to the left toward the Northern Line. &lt;grin&gt;<BR>What stopped me from doing this before was the fear that the Tube guards would go" tsk tsk tsk .. another tourist who can't follow directions , let's teach her a lesson and make her stand for an hour directly beneath that speaker at the bottom of the steps to the Northern Line, the one that is exceedingly loud as it blares "MIND the GAP" &lt;grin&gt;<BR>

And not forgetting Belinda who was kind enough to top the message.. thanks, yep, you did have the right station.. *S*

Spiral Staircase.. sounds a good name for a film. :-0