As part of the works to rebuild the Old Street Roundabout, there will be no entry into Old Street station in the mornings from Monday 2nd November until next summer.
TfL is rebuilding the roundabout above ground, and a large new entrance to the station and shops below ground. In order to get on with some of the works, the entrance will be constrained for the next 9(ish) months – hence the need to prevent entry in the mornings.
Future layout (c) TfL
When completed in late 2022, the roundabout will become a peninsular, with the north-western side being pedestrianised so and the roundabout being opened up as a public space. Sitting in the middle will be a new main entrance to the tube and railway station below.
As part of the works, they are closing three of the four existing subway entrances. These will be replaced by two new station entrances, one accessible from Cowper Street and a main station entrance in the former roundabout with a green roof to complement the public space and environment.
The area has always been a landmark, if not in a good way — and the expectation is that the pedestrian space with the landmark new station entrance will create a new local landmark, in a better way.
New main entrance (c) TfL
In the meantime, locals are being advised to use Angel for the Northern line, or Moorgate for the Northern line and Great Northern services.
If you’re wondering, the huge advertising sign that hangs over the roundabout at the moment has a lease until 2025, what happens after that will probably depend on how much the advertiser is willing to pay to keep it there.
Current subway and station layout (c) TfL
Future subway and station layout (c) TfL
Some photos of the station at the moment
Present plans include a lift to provide step free access from street to station and subway. It was mentioned that longer term plans included reuse of old lift shaft to provide step free access to platforms but when this may occur is anyone’s guess in present circumstances.
It would be awkward for the schoolboys at Cowper St if they couldn’t enter in the afternoon
This will not help out-patients for Moorfields Eye Hospital either. For obvioua reasons many find it difficult to get round at the best of times and find the green line painted on the pavement a great help in being able to see where they should be walking.
There won’t be many (any?) eye hospital patients leaving the hospital first thing in the morning, so it won’t affect them.