Advertising to Return to Euston Station Departures Screen in Two Week Trial

Advertising is set to return to the large digital departures screen at London Euston station, with Network Rail confirming a two week trial will begin next week. The move comes after previous criticism over the use of the prominent display for commercial content instead of passenger information.

The giant screen, measuring approximately 15 metres wide and four metres high, sits above the main concourse and serves as a focal point for thousands of travellers each day. Over the past 18 months it has been used solely to display train departures and travel updates following controversy in 2024 when advertising content appeared on the board.

At the time, concerns were raised that replacing key travel information with adverts contributed to confusion and overcrowding during peak hours. The issue escalated to the point where the then transport secretary ordered improvements to the management of Euston station amid mounting complaints about passenger safety and congestion.

Network Rail has now announced that advertising will be reintroduced only on the outer sections of the screen, while the central portion will remain dedicated to live departure information. The organisation said the trial has been developed following feedback from passengers and stakeholders, with adjustments made based on lessons learned from the earlier rollout.

Euston is one of the busiest railway stations in the United Kingdom, serving long distance routes to the Midlands, North West and Scotland. Managing large crowds has been an ongoing challenge, particularly during service disruptions or platform changes. In 2023, the Office of Rail and Road issued an improvement notice after identifying safety risks linked to overcrowding. Although compliance was later confirmed, concerns about crowd control and last minute platform announcements have persisted.

Passenger watchdog London TravelWatch previously warned that late boarding announcements were causing sudden rushes to platforms, placing pressure on staff and creating safety risks. Since then, Network Rail has introduced longer boarding times, clearer signage and adjustments to the station layout to ease congestion.

The reintroduction of advertising is expected to generate additional revenue for Network Rail. The company has stated that any income raised from commercial use of the screen will be reinvested into improvements at Euston, including upgrades to the assisted travel lounge, additional seating and a new customer service hub planned for this spring.

The trial will be closely monitored to assess its impact on passenger experience, safety and crowd movement. If successful, the model could become a permanent feature at the station.