Euston station advertising board switched off following criticism

Network Rail has turned off a large advertising board at London’s Euston station as part of a review ordered by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh.

The government-owned company said assessing how the screen is used will feature in a five-point plan aimed at improving the station.

Other measures include creating more concourse space, upgrading toilets and enhancing how the station operates during disruption.

Network Rail, which owns the station, has been criticised for converting the main concourse departure board into a large advertising screen, with smaller train information boards installed.

It will also reconsider how passengers are given boarding information during train delays, and aims to increase the reliability of its infrastructure.

Earlier this week watchdog London TravelWatch warned that passengers at Euston were being put “in danger” by “high levels of overcrowding”.

It has also said “last-minute announcements” mean passengers “rush to platforms”, and staff “appear overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people”.

Network Rail has said its “senior management” have been asked to meet Transport Secretary Louise Haigh next week to “answer questions on plans for the station and set out a route towards longer-term improvements”.

Ms Haigh said: “For too long, Euston station simply hasn’t been good enough for passengers.

“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.”

She added Euston needs a “permanent solution” but the ” immediate steps will help to alleviate some of the issues”.

Network Rail route director Gary Walsh 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.”

The five point plan announced by Network Rail is to:

• Review passenger information and remove overhead advertising boards
• Revise passenger boarding processes, particularly during disruptions
• Expand concourse space and upgrade toilet facilities
• Streamline operations during disruptions for unified response
• Improve infrastructure and train service reliability to reduce disruptions

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 company of failing to prevent safety risks from “unacceptable” overcrowding.

The ORR found Network Rail “complied” with the notice on 15 December by implementing measures to “manage passenger traffic flows and overcrowding”.

But concerns about the station continue to be raised, including how train platform information is delivered, and they are also being looked at by Network Rail.

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.