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London Underground: We tried to stand on the left of the escalator on the Tube and this is what happened

We block Londoners from zooming down the left-hand side of the escalator to see if people can deal with the new system at Holborn station

Ryan Ramgobin,Charlie Atkin
Thursday 26 November 2015 18:34 GMT
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Stand on the left hand side? Never

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From seasoned commuters to sheepish tourists; the majority of people using the Tube know it is a sin to stand on the left-hand side of the escalator.

Transport for London is reinventing the wheel by telling passengers to stand on both sides in a bid to ease congestion.

It is currently being trialled during rush hour at Holborn station where staff are armed with megaphones, placed at both ends of the escalator and ordering people to stand.

Social media has erupted with anger and confusion.

We spent our lunchtime blocking people’s paths at Oxford Circus to see if the reaction online was justified or just bluster.

Would awkward British politeness overcome even the biggest of sins?

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