Anyone who has ever used the local services out of Euston platforms 8-11 will know there’s a rather shabby ramp from the platforms to the station concourse.
Since last Christmas, works have been underway, and the old WH Smiths, M&S and Costa were removed earlier this year to create space for the wider ramp down to the platforms.
The one thing they can’t remove is the entrance at the bottom leading to the London Underground, but the wider ramp will still double the width of the space around the tube entrance.
The upgrade work to platforms 8-11 is due to be finished by Autumn 2021.
Once they have been completed, the cleared ramp will return passenger flows near to how they would have been in the 1960s when Euston was redeveloped.
Visualisation – looking down towards the platforms (c) Network Rail
Visualisation – looking up towards the concourse (c) Network Rail
The greatest problem at Euston for those taking the London Midland trains is that the platform is not announced until the last minute. The crowd then surges down the ramp and the slowest are the least likely to be able to secure a seat. In addition the carriages closest to the barrier are often overcrowded while those at the front of the train are nearly empty. Things improved at the height of the pandemic but have now reverted to this unacceptable situation which lacks all consideration for passengers and is dangerous.
The new scheme restores the 2 ramps that were there until refurbishment c 1988. I disagree they are currently shabby. There were 2 or 3 adjacent shops that made the walkway attractive, albeit very busy. Returning to the 1960s design will give more room, but one that is bland and unattractive, which will need constant cleaning of large open space in middle.
Why will the space need constant cleaning, as opposed to the normal levels of cleaning that any other part of the station would require?