Val backs theatregoers on Waterloo tube entrance closure

Val Shawcross, Labour’s London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark has called on Mayor Boris Johnson to heed theatregoers pleas to keep a key entrance to Waterloo underground station open after 10pm.

Currently the tube entrance in York Road is closed early, meaning that passengers attending events at nearby venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and National Theatre end up with a long and circuitous route to get the tube home.

Val, who has tabled a question to the Mayor on the matter said ‘The York Road entrance to Waterloo is ideally placed for people going to the theatre to quickly get the tube home, but most theatre performances tend to finish after 10pm. Closing this entrance early would seem nonsensical. ‘

She went on ‘Even if the entrance only stayed open for an extra hour, this would really help. We are fortunate to have a wealth of famous cultural venues on our doorstep in Waterloo and always want to encourage Londoners to visit them. So something as simple as making it as easy as possible to get home after a show actually makes a difference’.

Val’s question is due to be answered next week.