Escalators in Parliament will be set to travel in reverse to get MPs to their votes faster, blocking off a key thoroughfare for other workers on the Parliamentary estate.
Under a new scheme being trailed by Commons authorities a key pair of escalators connecting Portcullis House – where many MPs have their offices – and the Palace of Westminster will be changed from two-way to one way for five minutes at a time.
The change will double the speed at which MPs can travel to the House of Commons chamber, but block off a key route through in Parliament’s congested corridors to other people in the building.
Workers on the parliamentary estate will have to take the long way around to travel between the two major locations or wait for a disabled access lift – in which MPs will also have priority.
The plan is an attempt to ease congestion of MPs marching to vote on laws, but may cause difficulties of its own.
“For the trial period for the first 5 minutes of a division, these escalators will both travel downwards,” an official notice posted in the Palace of Westminster said.
“The aim is to improve the flow of people from Portcullis House to the Palace of Westminster during divisions, facilitating faster and easier access to escalators.
“To get to Portcullis House when both escalators are travelling downwards, use the alternative lift to the right although members have priority.” [emphasis from original notice]
MPs have priority over workers at some catering establishments in Parliament, as well as reserved seating in canteens.
Some elevators are also reserved for the use of MPs only.
The escalator trial will take place on Monday 5 December, Tuesday 6 December, and Wednesday 7 December.
