'Variable Direction' signs at Bank

[JoeGJ1984]

I remember seeing once, when walking the corridors at Bank station, signs for different lines with a lit arrow, being one of two directions that could be lit. I remember seeing a picture on flickr somewhere, but I can't remember where?

What purpose do they serve? Presumably crowd control? Is there anywhere else on London Underground that uses anything similar?

 

[tsr]

Yes. They can be used to change exit routes and the like, should there be overcrowding or even a fire or some other incident (not that they would be the only part of an evacuation plan!).

Other stations which use these include London Bridge and Waterloo.

 

[essexjohn]

At Bank, the direct route between Northern Line platforms and street is closed from mid evening on weekdays and throughout the weekend so passengers must use the longer routes passing near the Central Line platforms. Are the direction arrows changed to show this?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There's one of these at the top of the stairs from the middle of the Northern Line platforms at Waterloo; even when only the left hand arrow is illuminated most people know to go to the right as it's only half as far to reach the surface...

 

[simple simon]

A photo I took some years ago showing this!

Simon