Nobody except for permitted workers should be able to access Kentish Town station as it has been closed for essential repairs since June 26, 2023.
But Tube passengers travelling through the station have reported that the walls of the southbound platform a covered are now covered in graffiti, believed to have been sprayed on over the weekend.
Videos shared online show that much of the platform walls, including the Kentish Town signage, have been sprayed with graffiti tags.
Graffiti in Kentish Town station. Reopening’s already been delayed until September, don’t imagine this will help speed things along. Never understood why people seem to enjoy screwing over their own communities. pic.twitter.com/rDMumPbUdB
— The Kentish Town Cyclist (@KentishCyclist) February 18, 2024
The station has been closed as both of its 26-year-old escalators were described as “unreliable” and needed to be replaced.
It was originally anticipated that this would be complete in the early summer, and while Transport for London (TfL) says that the new escalators are still set to be complete by then, other improvement works have delayed the station’s reopening, which could now be in September.
There seems to be a problem at Kentish Town tube station… #TfL #LondonUnderground #LondonTransport #LifesABlur #ClosedStation #WhoDunnit pic.twitter.com/XpOgDV1S57
— London Rail (@london_rail) February 18, 2024
TfL previously said it would use the Northern Line station closure to make other improvements including removing the “redundant” ticket office and realigning the ticket barriers to provide more space for customers and additional gates.
Even before the recent damage, the station is meant to be painted and deep cleaned, with new floor and wall tiling and improved signage.
TfL has been approached for comment on the current state of the station following the vandalism.