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Brits using London train station warned marble columns ‘would fall off’ without bands | UK | News

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Euston Station in central London has been called “no longer fit for purpose” by Rail Minister Lord Hendy, who also revealed the station’s marble columns are held together by bands to stop parts from falling off. 

Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord Hendy described the station as outdated, saying it was last considered “very modern” back in 1968.

Lord Hendy said: “As a previous chair of Network Rail, I can tell you that if you look closely in the columns in the station, there are bands round the marble because it would fall off without them. It is no longer in fit condition.”

In response to these issues, Network Rail has launched a 100-day improvement plan aimed at easing overcrowding and making the station safer. 

Key changes include allowing passengers on some Avanti West Coast trains to board up to 20 minutes early, with this option increasing to 55% of services during the busy Christmas period. This change is expected to reduce the last-minute rush that has caused safety concerns in recent years.

READ MORE: The UK’s busiest train station that’s getting a £1.5bn revamp

Other measures in the plan include creating more space on the concourse, improving signage, upgrading toilet facilities and even turning off a large advertising screen to help reduce congestion. 

Network Rail says these steps are all part of a five-point plan to make Euston safer and easier to navigate.

The changes come after passenger watchdog London TravelWatch warned that overcrowding at Euston was putting travellers at risk, especially with last-minute platform announcements causing sudden surges of people moving through the station. 

Former Strategic Rail Authority head Richard Bowker also raised concerns, saying Euston is struggling to cope with the increased passenger numbers. 

“Euston is substandard in many ways,” he said, adding that the station must handle far more traffic than it was originally built for.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh supports the improvement plan, saying that Network Rail has been asked to take urgent steps to address these issues while a long-term solution is worked out. “For too long, Euston station simply has not been good enough,” she said.

There are also longer-term plans to expand Euston’s concourse, but this will require more government funding. 

What’s more, the future of Euston as the London terminus for the HS2 high-speed rail project remains uncertain. 

Labour ministers are currently deciding whether HS2 will extend to Euston or stop at Old Oak Common in west London.

Network Rail has promised to monitor the impact of these changes closely to improve conditions at Euston, with Gary Walsh, the director for Network Rail’s West Coast south route, saying that getting passengers to their trains safely and smoothly is the main priority.

The Express has reached out to Network Rail for further comment.

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