TfL has confirmed the exact date a London Underground station will be partially shut for two months, triggering a major weekday travel shift for thousands of North London commuters. From Monday 6 January 2026, Southgate station on the Piccadilly line will operate as exit-only while essential escalator works are carried out, forcing passengers to use local bus routes to reach other London Underground stations, The WP Times reports, citing TfL.

Piccadilly line trains will continue to run through Southgate, but passengers will not be able to enter the station to board services. In practical terms, Southgate will become a station you can leave, but not enter, until the maintenance programme is completed in March — reshaping how a large part of Enfield and North London accesses the Tube network.

What “partially shut” means at Southgate

TfL’s decision to make Southgate exit-only is not symbolic — it fundamentally changes how the station works and how passengers must travel. Under the temporary operating rules:

  • Exit-only operation — passengers arriving on the Piccadilly line will still be able to get off and leave the station
  • No entry — Southgate cannot be used to start a Tube journey in any direction
  • No boarding — all Piccadilly line journeys must begin at neighbouring stations such as Arnos Grove, Oakwood or Cockfosters

The restriction is being imposed because one of Southgate’s two escalators will be taken out of service for heavy mechanical maintenance. With only a single escalator available, TfL says the station cannot safely manage two-way passenger flows, especially during peak hours, making exit-only operation the only viable way to keep the station open at all.

In practical terms, Southgate will remain part of the Underground network — but only as a place to get out, not get in, until the works are completed in March.

The exact timetable

TfL has confirmed a clearly defined disruption window that will cover almost the entire winter commuting season:

  • Start date: Monday 6 January 2026
  • Length of closure: around two months
  • Expected reopening: mid-March 2026

Because the restrictions run through January and February — the busiest months for London’s commuter network, the impact will be felt every weekday rather than being confined to a short, manageable weekend shutdown. For thousands of North London residents, this effectively means a new daily travel routine for most of the first quarter of 2026.

How to reach other London Underground stations

With Southgate closed to entry, TfL has made local bus services the only gateway back onto the Piccadilly line for affected passengers. These routes will form a temporary replacement network linking Southgate to the nearest operational Underground stations.

Travelling north:

  • 121 to Oakwood
  • 298 to Cockfosters

Travelling south towards central London:

  • 298 or 382 to Arnos Grove

National Rail alternative:

  • W6 to Palmers Green, with direct rail services to Finsbury Park and Moorgate

These stations — particularly Arnos Grove, Oakwood and Cockfosters — will absorb the bulk of Southgate’s displaced commuter traffic for the next ten weeks, increasing pressure on platforms, ticket gates and peak-time services. TfL says the escalator programme is being carried out now to prevent more serious failures later in the year. By intervening early, the transport authority aims to improve long-term reliability, reduce the risk of emergency breakdowns and avoid the far greater disruption that would come from a sudden full station closure.

What commuters should do

Anyone who normally starts their journey at Southgate should:

  • Avoid Southgate entirely from Monday 6 January
  • Use Arnos Grove, Oakwood or Cockfosters as their entry station
  • Travel via bus routes 298, 382, 121 or W6
  • Allow extra time, particularly during the morning and evening rush

For much of North London, this is one of the most disruptive local transport changes of early 2026 — and it will affect commuters every weekday until March.

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