EUSTON TAXI RANK ROW: Long queues, celebrity accessibility questions and traffic chaos stirs debate
Euston Station’s newly designed taxi rank is facing mounting criticism from commuters, taxi drivers and trade representatives, with claims that its layout and access routes are causing significant operational headaches.
Radio DJ Jo Whiley took to social media to voice her concerns, branding the system unworkable. “Just an observation from a regular commuter - the new taxi rank system at Euston station just doesn’t work. For taxis it’s too hard to get into. For those with mobility issues, it’s too far away,” she wrote, adding sympathy for drivers struggling with the setup.
Taxi driver Robert joined the discussion, suggesting a straightforward fix to the access issues: reinstating a left turn into Churchway or into the bus station to allow easier entry into the rank. “Queues of people are waiting,” he said, citing reports of passengers facing delays of up to an hour.
Responding to the criticism, a spokesperson for Network Rail acknowledged the feedback from both parties, stating that while the western side’s old taxi rank remains accessible for those needing assistance, the site’s road layout presents inherent challenges. They assured users that the matter would be passed onto stakeholders including Transport for London (TfL) and Camden Council.
Concerns about the new system are not new. Taxi trade representatives flagged issues when the rank was unveiled in April, despite praising its design and modern features. Paul Kirkby, Executive S.O of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), labelled the access routes from the West a “total nightmare”, citing restrictive traffic regulations as the root cause.
Kirkby noted that while routes from the North, South, and East are manageable, the western approach is marred by detours forcing drivers to either circle away from the station or weave through a labyrinth of roads, inconveniencing both drivers and passengers. He revealed that warnings raised during the planning stages were ignored, leaving the trade to grapple with the fallout.
The debate exposes broader tensions between urban planning and the practicalities of keeping London’s transport systems running efficiently. With passengers reporting delays and rising costs, pressure is mounting on stakeholders to implement a workable solution. For now, however, frustrations remain as both drivers and commuters navigate an increasingly tangled route to Euston Station.
