Euston station, once branded 'London's worst', is set for a £50,000,000 upgrade over the next three years, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has announced. The investment will phase out last-minute platform announcements within a year and allocate £11,000,000 for improved seating, waiting areas, and refurbished toilets previously named the capital's worst train station loos.
Platform Announcements and Boarding Changes
One of the first changes at the central London hub will be its platform announcements, which often come at the last minute and cause crowds of passengers rushing to catch trains. Euston has already trialled different boarding arrangements, from earlier boarding on Avanti West Coast services to continuous boarding on London Northwestern Railway trains.
The large departures board will be kept, with Network Rail saying the decision was informed by passenger feedback. Improvements to Euston's concourse are also planned, with some changes already underway.
Concourse Improvements and Facilities
The assisted travel lounge has already been revamped, and a new customer information hub has been installed at the back of the concourse. The station's upstairs balcony has been fitted with additional seating and charging points, and more seating is being installed on the east side of the concourse.
The £50,000,000 investment is separate from the Euston Masterplan and HS2.
Context of Nationalisation and Other Upgrades
The news comes after it was announced that Avanti West Coast services, which run from Euston, will be placed under public ownership from March 7, 2027. This follows the nationalisation of South Western Railway, c2c and Greater Anglia in 2025, and West Midlands Trains, Govia Thameslink Railway and Chiltern Railways earlier this year. Great Western Railway (GWR) will also be nationalised in December. All affected services will operate under Great British Railways (GBR), aiming to put 'passengers and customers first'.
Ms Alexander said: 'For years, we've heard stories of Avanti underperforming, with passengers left paying the price. Enough is enough. That is why we will bring Avanti into public ownership at the earliest opportunity, in March next year. This Labour government is committed to putting essential services back in public hands, connecting people to opportunity and delivering growth in every postcode and this move reflects that commitment. We will also introduce a comprehensive improvement plan, focused on delivering for passengers, not shareholders.'
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said the firm would 'work closely with the government to ensure a seamless transition into public ownership while remaining focused on delivering for our customers and communities'.
Meanwhile, South Kensington Tube station is expected to undergo a £120,000,000 upgrade to tackle overcrowding and improve accessibility, and Liverpool Street station is set for a £1,200,000,000 revamp. An extra £10,000,000 is also set to be invested in other stations serviced by the West Coast Main Line, on top of £840,000,000 pledged to improve infrastructure, with promises of 'faster and more reliable services' and improved WiFi and 5G mobile coverage.
