Ritika Janiya
Euston Station in London is a famous place, but it’s not a very nice one. Many people think it’s the worst main train station in Western Europe! Picture a busy road filled with cars, buses, and people rushing around. That’s Euston Road, which is right next to the station. It has important buildings like the British Library and a few other train stations. However, the main station, Euston, looks old and uninviting. It feels overcrowded and confusing, leaving many travelers frustrated.
What’s Wrong with Euston Station?
Euston Station has a lot of problems. For starters, it is poorly designed. When you walk in, it can feel cramped and chaotic. Passengers often have to wait in long lines without knowing where to go or when their trains will leave. “It’s all wrong for a major London station,” says Dev Lapsley, a regular traveler to Manchester. He believes it’s not safe for people to dash to catch their trains.
People have to stand in a big open area called the concourse, staring at a board that shows when their train will be ready. This can be very stressful, especially if trains are delayed or canceled. On one Friday afternoon, the station was packed with people anxiously checking the board, hoping to find out when they could board their train.
One traveler, Sean Gibbs, who comes from Blackpool, had some harsh words for Euston Station: “I think it’s a shithole. The layout is awful, and the shops are expensive.” This feeling is shared by many others. They think that the shops and food stalls are not very good and charge way too much. Imagine being stuck in a crowded station, surrounded by ads for drinks and snacks you don’t even want!
A Day of Travel Chaos
Things can get really messy at Euston Station. For example, a few Sundays ago, there was an “intruder” on the tracks, which made all the trains stop. As a result, a huge crowd gathered on the concourse, and people were packed in tightly. It felt dangerous, especially when you consider that problems like this happen often. There are always unexpected issues in the rail system, like signal failures or other delays, but Euston seems to handle these problems worse than other big stations.
One reason for this is that Euston has a lot of trains but not enough platforms. When a train arrives late, it creates a backup, causing even more delays. Euston is the home station for Avanti, which is known for being one of the worst train operators in the UK. So, it’s not surprising that many trains don’t arrive on time.
Looking for Solutions
Network Rail, the company responsible for managing UK train stations, knows that Euston has serious issues. They are trying to improve the situation by removing some shops from the concourse to make more space. They say this should help ease the crowding by making the area 20-25% bigger. They even placed a departure board outside for people to see when trains leave.
However, the outside area looks pretty bleak, resembling a dreary civic space you might find in a spy movie. There’s little protection from the rain, which is not great for passengers waiting outside for their trains. It seems they expect people to sit there and relax while waiting, but who wants to do that when it’s cold and wet?
Imagining a Better Euston Station
What could make Euston better? First, the design needs a complete makeover. It should be easier to navigate and have more information available for passengers. Maybe they could create clear signs showing which direction to go, and have friendly staff to help people find their way.
Next, the layout should reduce crowding. Instead of making people wait in one large area, they could create smaller waiting areas with comfy seats, better shops, and food options that are both tasty and affordable. Imagine waiting for your train in a cozy spot with some interesting things to buy, instead of feeling cramped and uncomfortable!
Another idea is to improve the communication about delays. If trains are running late, passengers should be informed quickly and clearly so they know what to expect. This would make waiting much less stressful.
Finally, it’s essential to make sure there are enough platforms for all the trains. This could help avoid situations where trains are late due to overcrowding. After all, train travel should be an enjoyable experience, not a frustrating one!
