Calls to fix massive puddle outside Euston station

The Royal National Institute for the Blind said it was concerned for disabled people in the area

Transport for London (TfL) bosses have been urged to resolve repeated episodes of flooding outside Euston Station.

Locally nicknamed the "Euston puddle", the large body of water forms following rainfall at the junction of Upper Woburn Place and Euston Road.

Commuters have been seen wading through deep water to access the station over the past year, while a charity warns the area could become a "no-go zone" for disabled people.

TfL said drainage work to resolve the problem was carried out last winter but the issue had since reoccurred. Water is to be cleared from the road in the short term while further investigations are carried out, it said.

The puddle causes problems for people on the pavement as well as those trying to cross the road

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Royal National Institute of Blind People urged the authorities to act "immediately" to fix the issue.

The charity said it was concerned the puddle was affecting some people's ability to "walk safely and independently" in the area.

Campaigns officer Clay Nash said the flood water blocks access to a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing that allows blind and partially-sighted people to safely cross the road to reach Moorfields Eye Hospital.

One resident said elderly people and those with mobility issues were often being forced to dodge traffic, while many pedestrians were being sprayed with water by passing cars.

The pool of water - often spanning several metres - vanished for months after work was carried out on the roads but returned in July.

Camden Council's Adam Harrison called for a new plan to tackle the "notorious" puddle.

"For years we have asked TfL to take action to stop the water collecting. It stops people from crossing safely at this busy corner next to Euston Station and risks them getting soaked."

The "Euston puddle" sometimes spans several metres

TfL, which manages Euston Road, apologised for the disruption and said they believed the issue had been resolved - but now that it had reoccurred they would "investigate the new drainage system working with Thames Water".

It also said it would send maintenance teams to the location when heavy rain is forecast in an attempt to clear significant puddles.