How huge advertising boards made ‘London’s worst station’ even worse

‘But it is when train services are disrupted that the station really struggles to cope, with high levels of overcrowding putting passengers in danger.

‘London TravelWatch has met with Network Rail regarding these issues, yet passengers are still having to rush to platforms due to last minute announcements, staff appear overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people involved and the recently-installed information screens seem to have done little if anything to make things better for passengers when services are disrupted.’

They added that it’s been a year since the ORR issued an improvement notice to Network Rail about Euston – but ‘little has changed’.

In May, Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines wrote to then-chair of the Commons’ Transport Select Committee Iain Stewart outlining steps taken since September 2023 to improve safety at Euston, such as installing signs asking people not to run, and ensuring ramps to platforms are clear of passengers before announcing the next departure from the same platform.

But he acknowledged the experience of passengers ‘isn’t where we want it to be, particularly during disruption and other busy periods.’

He added: ‘We are a learning organisation and we will continue to work closely with operators to better manage both the safety and customer experience within the current station footprint, particularly as we look to deliver major improvements in the future.’

There are plans to redevelop Euston, including a larger concourse, but these are subject to Network Rail securing more Government funding.

Major work to prepare a site alongside the station for HS2 was halted by the Conservative government in March last year.

Labour ministers have yet to announce whether the high-speed railway will be extended to Euston, or will only run to and from Old Oak Common in the west London suburbs.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: ‘Euston was designed for a different era and we acknowledge that it is in need of major investment and modernisation.

‘However, safety is at the heart of our operation and something we would never compromise on in any of our stations.

‘For the majority of the time the station works, however during times of disruption, there simply isn’t enough room for passengers and we know this can make for an uncomfortable and unpleasant environment.’