Network Rail is trying to tackle the so-called “Euston rush” – the madcap dash from concourse to platform as passengers try to board their soon-departing train.
The owner of London’s arguably least popular mainline station aims for 40 per cent of Avanti West Coast trains to have their platforms announced before departure.
In addition, passengers seeking to board a London Northwestern Railway service to Birmingham will be allowed to wait on the platform, rather than being held on the concourse. This initiative is described as “continuous boarding”.
But is the plan working? On Tuesday early afternoon, mid-way through the school half-term break, Euston was busy but not packed – and the concourse appeared slightly less congested than normal.
Announcements varied from 29 minutes ahead of departure – for the London Northwestern Railway 12.56 train to Birmingham New Street – to a less than helpful three minutes, for the same firm’s 12.39 departure to Milton Keynes.
The 12.39 then disappeared from the departure board a minute later – with the indicator above platform nine stating that the platform was closed.
There was also misery for Avanti West Coast passengers who had booked to travel on the 12.40 to Birmingham New Street.
It was cancelled – with the next available train leaving at 1.16pm. “That is a long time to wait,” said one woman. “I could have taken a slower train.”
She wondered what had caused the delay. “This is due to a fault on a train,” came the Tannoy announcement.
Over the time The Standard was at the station, Avanti West Coast’s 12.30 train to Glasgow was announced 15 minutes early, its 12.33 to Manchester Piccadilly 16 minutes early and its 12.43 to Liverpool 18 minutes early, as was its 12.53 to Manchester.
It beat the 20-minute target by having its 13.13 service to Manchester ready 21 minutes ahead of departure, and hit the target with its 13.16 to Birmingham New Street.
But its 13.02 to Crewe only had its platform announced at 12.50, despite a promise of it being announced at 12.44. Passengers were advised to “remain on the platform”.
In general, Avanti West Coast’s long-distance trains were announced with enough time to board – while London Northwestern’s services, including to Tring, appeared more prone to late announcement or delay.
London Overground services on the “Lioness line” to Watford Junction appeared to be departing on time every 15 minutes, and were announced about 10 minutes ahead of schedule – normally always on platform 9.
There was even information for passengers due to board the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland – it would depart from platform one, though not until later tonight.
For the self-appointed “passenger-in-chief”, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, who has promised to improve the passenger experience at Euston, it probably is about as good a start as she could have hoped.
There wasn’t quite a sense of calm on the concourse, now without the neon light from the giant advertising board that she ordered be turned off earlier this month, but the mainline station was certainly less frantic than the Tube station next door.
She said: “I am pleased to see immediate improvements being made at Euston Station to reduce the risk of overcrowding, drive up standards and deliver a better experience for passengers.
“For too long, Euston station simply has not been good enough. That’s why I have tasked Network Rail and operators with delivering a clear plan to alleviate some of the issues passengers are facing while we work on a long-term solution for the station.”
Network Rail’s aim is to increase the 20-minute “heads up” for Avanti passengers to about 55 per cent of trains in the run-up to Christmas.
Over the festive period, though, Network Rail’s advice is to avoid Euston if you can. With closures at St Pancras, Paddington and Liverpool Street, it will be even busier than normal.
