The feared ‘Euston rush’ is to come to an end to the relief of traumatised commuters in a Network Rail trial letting passengers on platforms up to 20 minutes earlier.
Passengers at the station on Monday were some of the first to take part in the new scheme aimed at reducing stampedes following increasing safety concerns.
London TravelWatch, a transport watchdog, said earlier this month that ‘high levels of overcrowding’ at Euston was putting passengers ‘in danger’.
A statement warned ‘last-minute announcements’ meant passengers were ‘rushing to platforms’, and staff were overwhelmed by the ‘sheer number of people.
In response to these experiences, around 40 per cent of Avanti West Coast services will be boarded early this week, with the figure set to rise to 55 per cent by Christmas time.
The feared ‘Euston rush’ is to come to an end to the relief of traumatised commuters in a Network Rail trial letting passengers on platforms up to 20 minutes earlier
Since last week, ‘continuous boarding’ has let people on London Northwestern Railway’s services to Birmingham on their platform as soon as the previous train left
Around 40 per cent of Avanti West Coast services will be boarded early this week, with the figure set to rise to 55 per cent by Christmas time
Also to help safety, the giant advertising board (seen off) may be repurposed to display customer information
Since last week, ‘continuous boarding’ has let people on London Northwestern Railway’s services to Birmingham on their platform as soon as the previous train left.
The trial is one of five things Network Rail hopes will improve safety at Euston, alongside turning off the controversial 2,500 sq ft advertising screen which replaced the largest departure boards.
Acknowledging the need to overhaul the station, Network Rail said the giant screen might soon be used to display passenger information.
It has also been suggested that information desks could be made more visible and waiting space could be increased.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh 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.’
The need for improvement has been heightened by the expectation that Labour will revert to the original plan for HS2 to run into Euston, rather than ending at Old Oak Common in the London suburbs.