DESIGN FAIL: TV architect George Clarke calls Euston taxi rank ‘the biggest joke of traffic design’

Architect and TV Presenter George Clarke is the latest person to publicly berate the design of the Euston taxi rank calling it ‘the biggest joke of traffic design’.

Cabbies and commuters have long called for improved changes due to its poor design that leaves both cab drivers and passengers frustratingly waiting in long queues.

The Amazing Spaces presenter took to social media to leave his feedback with regulators Transport for London (TfL). Clarke, like many others, was frustrated to see long lines of empty taxis unable to pick up long lines of waiting travellers due to the slow exit from the mainline train station rank.

Clarke said: “The new taxi system at Euston station is one of the biggest jokes of traffic design I’ve ever seen. Hundreds of cabs sitting waiting ages to pick up hundreds of people standing and waiting ages to get in a taxi… amazing.”

Before Christmas, the Salford-born comic Jason Manford had also taken to social media to share his opinion on the rank, which prompted licensed taxi drivers to explain some of the issues they face when picking up and dropping off at Euston too.

Taxi drivers highlighted the traffic light phasing to exit the taxi rank as a big issue, along with the slower traffic on Euston Road since the Streetspace cycle lanes were brought in.

Manford said: “Always this mad situation at Euston where there’s a massive queue of people AND a massive queue of cabs!

“Clearly been designed by someone who doesn’t actually use public transport! Passengers not happy, cabbies not happy!

“Madness.”

Back in Autumn 2020, the Mayor of London claimed the rising congestion around Euston Road caused by the new cycle lane was being closely monitored by Transport for London (TfL).

Sadiq Khan also confirmed that should any severe issues be identified, TfL will “evaluate the reasons” and “investigate any possible steps to mitigate”.