Rome's Metro A station Baldo degli Ubaldi will close from 18 October.

Rome is to close the Baldo delgi Ubadli station on the city's Metro A line for "about three months" - from 18 October - to carry out a "20-year review of escalators and elevators."

Rome's public transport company ATAC said the intervention was "complusory" and would involve checks and repairs on the station's 12 escalators and seven elevators.

Citing safety issues, Rome mayor Virginia Raggi stated the "inconvenience was unfortunately necessary" and followed "20 years of lack of maintenance." The mayor also blamed the "total disinterest of those who in recent decades should have intervened."

ATAC has suggested that commuters use the nearby Metro A stations of Cornelia or Valle Aurelia, while the 490 bus serving the area will run more frequently for the duration of the closure.

The announcement comes amid an annus horribilus for commuters on Rome's metro network which has suffered numerous closures from faulty escalators, construction and repair works.