Five things London’s worst train station is going to do to improve things
Huge advertisement boards will finally be shut down at Euston Station after passengers complained of ‘poor and unsafe’ experiences.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has ordered the screens, which wrap around the walls, to be shut down while a five-point plan to improve the station is carried out.
Passengers have claimed the station is a danger during rush hour and disruption.
London TravelWatch said in a statement ‘last minute announcements’ mean people rush to platforms, and staff ‘appear overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people.’
Information boards also appear tiny compared to the large advertisements, making it difficult for people to find their train times and platforms.
Network rail said a ‘major reconstruction’ is needed to meet current demands.
But they added they will change how ‘passengers are invited to board services’ and will try alleviate pinch-points during busy periods.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: ‘For too long, Euston station simply hasn’t been good enough for passengers.
What five changes are being made to Euston Station?
Network Rail and the Department for Transport have announced a five-point plan to make much needed improvements to Euston Station.
Both bodies admitted ‘the outdated station is in major need of overhaul’.
- Reviewing passenger information provision and circulation, including a shutdown and review of the use of overhead advertising boards
- A review on how passengers are invited to, and board services, especially during disruption
- Creating more concourse space and alleviating pinch-points, which will include more, and upgraded, toilet provision
- Unifying station operation during disruption to ensure a holistic approach is taken for the benefit of all passengers
- Driving up the reliability of both the infrastructure and train services to reduce disruptive events being experienced at the station
‘That’s why I’ve tasked Network Rail with coming up with a clear plan to immediately improve conditions for passengers. This includes a shutdown of the advertising boards from today to review their use.
‘We know Euston needs a permanent solution and are working hard to agree this – but these immediate steps will help to alleviate some of the issues the station has been facing.’
In September last year, regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) issued an improvement notice to Network Rail in relation to the station, accusing the Government-owned company of failing to prevent safety risks from ‘unacceptable’ overcrowding.
Gary Walsh, route director for West Coast South said: ‘Passengers haven’t received the experience they deserve at Euston recently and we need to do better.
‘Our five-point plan will help improve things for passengers in the short term by creating more space, providing better passenger information, and working as an industry to improve the reliability of train services on the West Coast Main Line.’
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