At 6:30 PM on a Friday, BBC London’s Tom Edwards captures the hectic scene at Euston Station, where the energy is almost tangible. “Slow down! Slow down!” a staff member yells as the crowd surges down the ramp toward the train platform. While this kind of chaos isn’t new, many commuters feel that it’s gotten worse lately.

Euston has long been a hub for hurried travelers, but the current situation seems particularly dire. Edwards expresses his appreciation for the station’s marble floors and spacious feel, yet he acknowledges that many find it increasingly cramped. Earlier this year, the large departure display was replaced by an advertising screen, which was recently turned off after a review by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. New announcement boards, positioned in the middle of the concourse, are hard to see and often create difficult crowd dynamics.

“When a train platform is announced, it turns into a stampede,” Edwards remarks, noting how passengers rush en masse toward their awaiting trains. Delays only complicate matters further, a reality that’s especially tough for those with mobility issues or small children. Avanti Silver members now receive text alerts about platform info before the official announcements, aiding them in navigating the crowds more safely.

Francesca Peschier, a frequent traveler at Euston, describes her experience as “just always a crush.” She adds, “What’s awful is there’s no predictable time when it will be busier.” Frequently, train announcements are made only two minutes before departure, leading to yet another rush that leaves some unable to board their trains. “It’s actually just dangerous,” Peschier insists, emphasizing that being packed in the station can make it hard to exit safely.

Richard Bowker, former chief of the Strategic Rail Authority, criticized the station’s management on the Green Signals podcast, stating, “Everyone knows Euston is substandard in many ways.” He points out that the station now serves many more passengers than it did 15 years ago and calls for a robust management strategy to tackle the ongoing congestion.

The future of Euston Station is unclear as redevelopment plans linked to the HS2 project are currently on hold. Transport Secretary Haigh has promised that a decision regarding HS2’s endpoint is forthcoming, with an announcement expected around the time of the upcoming budget.

Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan agrees that Euston is in dire need of renovations. “Euston is a mess,” he comments, highlighting the congestion and safety issues that plague daily commuters. He insists that the station must evolve into a hub for High Speed 2 to improve overall connectivity.

In response, Network Rail has pledged to address overcrowding with a five-point plan aimed at improving the passenger experience. Gary Walsh, the route director for Network Rail’s West Coast South division, acknowledges the need for better facilities: “We need to do better,” he states. “Our five-point plan will enhance things by creating more space and improving passenger information.”

However, resolving the rush at Euston remains a significant hurdle. With an aging infrastructure and an overwhelming number of passengers, finding an effective solution won’t be easy.