King’s Cross Trials Early Removal of Train Info to Reduce Platform Rushes

Network Rail’s new policy at King’s Cross erases train details from departure boards three minutes before departure, sparking criticism from passengers and accessibility advocates.

Network Rail is trialing a policy at London’s King’s Cross station where long-distance trains are removed from departure boards three minutes before they leave to prevent last-minute sprints.
Final boarding announcements for these trains will now be made four minutes before departure, with no changes to actual boarding times, which remain up to 20 minutes before departure.
Critics, including disability advocates, argue the policy is patronizing and creates barriers for disabled passengers and those relying on real-time information to locate platforms.
The trial follows safety concerns and overcrowding issues at nearby Euston station, where last-minute announcements led to dangerous platform rushes and prompted a safety improvement notice in 2023.
Passengers have expressed frustration, fearing the policy forces reliance on third-party apps or staff assistance for platform details, making travel more stressful and less accessible.