This is the absolute state of Euston Station in 2024, where passengers – sorry customers – are given the stark choice of staying inside and being bombarded by massive video adverts, or getting soaked in the grim area outside.
It’s hard to imagine a worse terminal station in London. Who’s going to want to wait outside here in the rain?
Back in 2020, things looked very different.
Train departures were announced above the platform entrances before some marketing genius thought it would be a better idea to replace then with a colossal, animated advertising screen running the whole length of the concourse
Now everyone has to focus on the screen in the far corner while the bright video wall does its best to distract people’s attention.
During rush hours, departures are often only announced with minutes to go, prompting dangerous crushes as people desperately try to get to their trains in time.
On Twitter/X, the Law Society’s John Hyde summed up people’s frustrations:
Euston is straight up dangerous. What is the logic of only showing trains on one board when you HAVE THREE? Then there is a terrifying crush once platforms announced last minute (rugby train has changed twice). It's the fucking hellmouth @TfL pic.twitter.com/DLdSSEvEgQ
— Dr Frank (@FrankPeschier) September 22, 2024