Report Calls for Urgent Upgrades at Euston Tube Stations

A confidential document, obtained by BBC London, indicates that Euston and Euston Square underground stations require immediate improvements. Without these, the report warns, the stations “both cease to function as reliable stations in peak hours” because of excessive passenger numbers. Furthermore, the document states that the ticket barriers, or gatelines, at both locations frequently necessitate closure to ensure safety. The report also noted “there is no clear direction” for addressing these problems and that Euston Square fails to comply with fire safety standards. In response, Transport for London (TfL) asserted that it “would never allow a situation where a TfL-run station was unsafe.” Titled “Euston London Underground Way Forward,” the report was authored in March 2024 by engineers possessing “a combined experience of over 10 years managing design for London Underground and Crossrail 2 scopes at Euston.” It provides an overview of the challenges at both stations and identifies Camden Council, Transport for London (TfL), and Network Rail as key parties involved. The document additionally discloses that Euston Square station’s design does not conform to present fire regulations, operating instead under “grandfather rights” due to its older construction. The report details a significant safety issue, stating that “if an incident occurs where… there is a small fire on a train, it will pull into the station to detrain and evacuate passengers on board to enable staff and emergency services to deal with the incident.” It further elaborated: “Passengers on the platform should be warned to evacuate before the train arrives. However, the incident may prevent safe egress (exit) for passengers on the ‘dead end’ side of the incident (either those waiting or those detraining) ‘trapping’ them in an enclosed space with no safe means of egress. “This configuration would not be permitted as part of a new build station.” The original plan involved upgrading and expanding Euston and Euston Square stations as part of the HS2 mainline station’s reconstruction for high-speed rail. However, the Conservative Government halted work on HS2 Euston in 2023. A proposal for a tunnel connecting HS2 Euston and Euston Square underground stations had previously been put forward. While the Budget confirmed approval for tunnelling between Old Oak Common in northwest London and Euston, the final design and funding for the new HS2 Euston station remain uncertain. Similarly, the funding mechanism for the Euston and Euston Square underground stations has not been clarified. The mainline Euston rail station recently faced criticism from the independent body London Travelwatch, which cited overcrowding and potential safety risks for passengers. To mitigate the “Euston rush,” station procedures have been modified, including allowing passengers additional time to reach their trains. Sir John Armitt, who chairs the National Infrastructure Commission, recently addressed the Rail Industry Association’s annual conference in central London. He commented on the funding approval for the HS2 tunnels to Euston, stating: “What was very welcome news was the announcement that they would fund the completion of the tunnels through to Euston.” He added, “That’s the relatively straightforward bit.” Sir Armitt further explained, “The real challenge, as everyone in this room knows of course, is Euston station, which will take longer to do than it will to drive the tunnels.” He concluded, “So what’s really needed is to find a solution to dealing with Euston station.” The “Euston London Underground Way Forward” report explicitly states that both underground stations would require upgrades regardless of the HS2 project, owing to a rise in passenger volumes. The report additionally noted: “Solutions for the capacity upgrade is made chronically challenging by lack of a clear strategy. TfL, HS2 and Network Rail all sit under Department for Transport but their aspirations are misaligned, and there remains no clear approach to business case and funding.” Furthermore, the report indicates that a proposal to omit Step Free Access “looks to challenge the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.” Concluding, the report advised TfL to acknowledge a “finite” budget and that planned improvements would not achieve full adherence to current safety standards. It also suggested that TfL seek concessions to avoid having to meet present standards prior to undertaking detailed design work. TfL has stated that it neither authored nor commissioned the report. A spokesperson for TfL commented: “We are working with Department for Transport, HS2 and other partners to ensure Euston and Euston Square Underground stations can accommodate forecast demand and continue to provide safe, accessible and efficient facilities for everyone.”