Transport for London has so far failed to drain and prevent the stubborn pool of water reappearing despite the problem stretching back years
Euston Station is one of London’s busiest and most famous interchanges from where thousands of passengers arrive in or leave the capital daily. But there’s a long-standing problem that’s becoming as notable as the station itself – the ‘Euston Puddle’.
London’s transport bosses have been urged to fix the regularly occurring body of water that causes havoc opposite the station. Pedestrians are forced to sprint past it for fear of a tidal wave from passing taxis; elderly people have been known to test the amphibious capabilities of mobility scooters; and passengers in a rush have to choose between wet socks or missing their train.
Stretching several metres between Upper Woburn Place and Gower Street, the pool on the busy road in Camden has earned local notoriety for stubbornly reappearing following rainfall and evading highways workers’ efforts to drain it.
Following torrential rain and subsequent flash flooding in summer last year, major drainage works were announced in late 2024. But despite the works’ completion earlier this year, before long the puddle was “back with a vengeance” according to Gavin Livermore who posted about it on X in July. There are now fresh calls for Transport for London (TfL) to find a lasting solution.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) urged the authorities to act “immediately” to address the puddle. On top of the pavement’s lack of inclusive design features, the charity said the pools risked making the area a “no-go zone” for disabled people.
“We are concerned that high levels of flooding across Euston Road are affecting people’s ability to walk safely and independently in Camden,” said RNIB Area Campaigns Officer Clay Nash.
“The flood water regularly blocks access to vital signal-controlled pedestrian crossings that allow blind and partially-sighted people to safely cross the busy Euston Road and reach Moorfields Eye Hospital.”
One resident the LDRS spoke to highlighted the risk to elderly people and those with mobility issues who were regularly being forced to dodge traffic, but also reported pedestrians were regularly being sprayed with water by passing cars.
The LDRS understands Camden councillors had lobbied TfL to act on the problem for years, but nothing was done until the works that began in winter 2024. In light of the puddle’s resurgence, the borough’s planning chief Cllr Adam Harrison called for a new plan.
“The ‘Euston Puddle’ has become notorious. For years we have asked TfL to take action to stop the water collecting. The problem stops people from crossing safely at this busy corner next to Euston Station and risks them getting soaked,” he told the LDRS.
A spokesperson for TfL apologised for the disruption caused by the recent flooding.
“We made changes to the drains here last winter that we believed had resolved the problem, but now it has reoccurred we will investigate the new drainage system and Thames Water assets,” they said.
“In the meantime, we will work closely with our maintenance teams so they can attend when heavy rain is forecast to clear any significant puddles.”
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