TfL Ref: FOI-0461-2425
Thank you for your request which we received on 8 May 2024, asking for information about a left turn at Euston Station Taxi Rank.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You specifically asked:
The decision of the banned turn at Churchway was implemented for safety reasons, following a fatal incident. The report is a public record and can be accessed via the Coroner’s Office. Please see https://www.gov.uk/ for more information. For that reason, we are unable to progress a taxi left turn here.
The TfL, HS2 and Camden traffic modelling for the decision to not progress the left turn that is referred to in the pink text in the attached email which describes “queuing vehicles would block the inside lane of Euston Road [a bus lane which permits Buses/Taxis and Cycles] for some considerable distance, increasing congestion and slowing all journey times to Euston, St Pancras & Kings Cross.”
HS2’s design and traffic modelling showed that a left turn onto Eversholt Street wasn’t a viable option, causing additional wait times, safety concerns and delays to buses. TfL carried out their own review of HS2’s modelling report which validated the issues raised by HS2 and concluded not to progress with the left turn onto Eversholt Street. Please find attached TfL’s verification report for the taxi rank.
Additional traffic signal phases would lead to longer wait times for pedestrians and vulnerable road users as well as delays to our buses. These extended wait times could diminish safe crossing opportunities. Currently, there is already a level of noncompliance as commuters rush to their destinations. Introducing further wait times may exacerbate this behaviour. The north-western footway at the junction of Euston Rd/ Eversholt Street was built out to satisfy footway demand, adding a left turn would mean reducing the angle of the turn and reduce pedestrian capacity. Adding a left turn that results in long queuing will also increase safety concerns for cyclists. As part of our commitment to safety, we strive to keep cycle times as short as possible, allowing pedestrians ample opportunities to cross the road or continue their journeys.
- The specific taxi/hackney carriage/black cab data referred to above used to inform the decision making process for the no left turn from Euston Road into Eversholt Street and Churchway.
We conducted searches of our files and folders but unfortunately have not been able to locate the traffic modelling report that HS2 did for Eversholt Street. You can contact HS2 directly for the report or the original modelling data, please see https://www.hs2.org.uk/about-us/our-governance/publication-scheme/ for information on how to make an FOI request to HS2.
No traffic modelling was done for Churchway as TfL were not supportive of the left turn following the Coroner’s report.
I also request all documents including any discussions between TfL and Camden on this left turn to gain access to Euston Station Taxi Rank at Eastern Gardens when travelling from the west. Documents including but not limited to emails, meeting notes and policy documents relating to safety actions following a Coroner’s report.
It’s not clear to us whether you are interested in documents and discussions relating to Churchway or Eversholt Street banned turn. To enable us to assist with your request, please specify the scheme you are talking about.
When we receive requests asking for all documents or all discussions, we are able to conduct a companywide email search using keywords, dates and email addresses. The more specific you can be, the more we can narrow the search and stand a better chance of a more meaningful response. Without knowing which scheme you are referring to and a lack of time period you’d like us to cover, we are unable to identify the information you require.
However, a quick search on all emails since July 2020 involving any @camden.gov.uk account containing the keywords “Euston” and “taxi rank” produced 1,309 hits. Obviously, we’d need to widen the terms to capture the specific requirements of your request. All of these potentially relevant emails would require a manual review. You may find it more beneficial to ask for specific documents or meeting notes, rather than a blanket request for all documents and discussions.
We will consider your request again, if you are able to clarify it so that we can more easily locate, retrieve and extract the information you are seeking.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal and copyright.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
