The notorious 'Euston Puddle' has defiantly returned to plague one of London's busiest transport hubs, despite major drainage works completed earlier this year to eliminate it for good.
A Persistent Problem Returns
Stretching several metres along the busy road between Upper Woburn Place and Gower Street in Camden, this substantial body of water regularly reappears following rainfall, causing significant disruption directly opposite Euston Station. Thousands of daily passengers arriving in or leaving the capital now face the familiar dilemma of choosing between wet socks or potentially missing their trains.
Pedestrians have been observed sprinting past the flooded area to avoid tidal waves created by passing taxis, while elderly residents have tested the amphibious capabilities of their mobility scooters. The situation has become so problematic that local residents report pedestrians are regularly being sprayed with water by passing vehicles.
Disabled Community Severely Impacted
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has urged authorities to act 'immediately' to address what they describe as a potential 'no-go zone' for disabled people. Clay Nash, RNIB Area Campaigns Officer, expressed particular concern about how the flooding blocks access to vital signal-controlled pedestrian crossings.
'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,' Nash told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The charity also highlighted the pavement's existing lack of inclusive design features, compounding the accessibility issues.
Failed Solutions and Renewed Calls for Action
Following torrential rain and flash flooding in summer last year, Transport for London announced major drainage works in late 2024. Although these works were completed earlier this year, the puddle returned remarkably quickly. Local resident Gavin Livermore noted on X in July that the problem had returned 'with a vengeance'.
Camden councillors have lobbied TfL to address the issue for years, with borough planning chief Cllr Adam Harrison now calling 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,' Harrison stated.
A TfL spokesperson apologised for the disruption and acknowledged their previous solution had failed. '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 interim, TfL has committed to working with maintenance teams to clear significant puddles when heavy rain is forecast.
