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A busy south London Tube station reopened today after a seven-month closure to replace two faulty lifts.

Lambeth North tube station, on the Bakerloo line, opened its doors to commuters this morning for the first time since it shut on July 13.

The zone 1 station’s 30-year-old lifts, used to access the underground platforms, regularly failed and caused disruption and overcrowding.

As well as new lifts, TfL has installed new ticket gates to reduce rush hour congestion and upgraded the lighting. The ticket hall and passageways have also received a fresh paint job to create a more “welcoming” environment.

Mark Wild, Managing Director of London Underground, said: “I would like to thank customers and local businesses for their patience throughout the lift replacement work, which we have carried out as swiftly as possible. The re-opening of the station with more reliable new lifts will improve transport connections in the area, benefitting local people, businesses and visitors alike.”

During the closure, travellers were forced to walk to nearby stations including Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, and Southwark, or travel by bus.

TfL claimed that by closing the station completely workers were able to carry out the lift replacements in half the time.

Ben Stephenson, Chief Executive of the WeAreWaterloo Business Improvement District, said: “We are very glad to see these works completed on schedule and would urge everyone to support the many local businesses in the area.”

The re-opening has also been welcomed by the Imperial War Museum, located five minutes’ walk from Lambeth North.

A spokesman for the museum said: “The re-opening of Lambeth North is well-timed, as IWM welcomes visitors to mark its Centenary in early March."