Weather Tonight: 9°c Light showers Morning: 14°c Overcast

News

HEADLINES:

Film solves Tube's standing question

Benedict Moore-Bridger
21.10.09

A silent film from the 1920s has solved the riddle of why London Underground passengers stand on the right of escalators.

The film Underground, being screened at the BFI 53rd London Film Festival, shows that early escalators finished with a diagonal so that the stairway ended sooner for the right foot than the left.

The film has a soldier dithering over a sign saying: "Step off: right foot first."

Reader views (5)

 Add your view

you stand on the right to allow fit show-offs in a rush, to run up the left.

- Barrie, Ryde I.o.W.

Isn't it because there are huge signs everywhere saying "keep to the right"?

- Bob, Cheam

The Underground system is inconsistent; some stairs/corridors instruct passengers to keep left, others keep right.

- Helen, West London

The real reason is to allow those tourists from aboard a measure of comfort. They cannot quite get to grips with our RH drive system but they can find the solace they need of left hand drive on the escalator ( or should I say elevator) without either damaging themselves or others. Why else would there be soooo many tourists on the underground system in the zone 1 & 2 areas but not beyond that where they have to walk up the stairs.

- James, City of London

Most passengers stand on the right of excalators because the majority are right-handed and it´s more natural to hold onto the handrail with the right hand.

- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 

Don't Miss
  • Lenny Henry

    Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

    As he wins the outstanding newcomer prize at the Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels
  • John and Edward

    Spread of the Jedhead

    Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories


Promotions

Environmental initiatives

Find out how you can help to meet the challenges of climate change in London.


The Open University

Every year The Open University helps thousands of professionals progress in their careers.


Win the Best Seats

In London theatre when you vote for your favourite celebrity spec wearer.


Breast Cancer Care

Donate £1 and leave a message of support for a loved one in the Swarovski Garden of Wishes.


Win an iPodTouch

With Courvoisier when you share your thoughts on this week's cocktail.