This is the worst London railway station to be a last-minute train catcher

A new trial to prevent passenger rushes has cemented King’s Cross as the worst London station for rail travellers who like to leave things to the very last minute.

Since last autumn, trains vanish from the boards three minutes before they leave the busy terminus, meaning late arrivals won’t find out which platform to go to.

And now Network Rail, which operates the station, is trying out earlier final boarding calls four minutes before departure.

Bosses at the company say the move will stop people rushing to catch their trains by ensuring they make an effort to get to their platform earlier.

But some commuters have been infuriated by the changes, describing them as ‘patronising’.

One man who regularly takes the train from London to York, which leaves from King’s Cross, told the Times: ‘Whether I run for the train is my decision.’

Most platforms at the station are within a short one- or two-minute walk from the atrium area where the station boards are located.

But a Network Rail spokesperson said it could take a longer time for older people or those with heavy luggage to travel to sections such as Platform 0, located at the eastern end of the building furthest from the boards.

They argued there is no point making a final boarding call closer to the departure time, as in many cases, passengers would not be able to make it unless they sprinted – which is discouraged.

King’s Cross is the southern terminus for the East Coast Main Line, which takes passengers to destinations including Durham, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

The spokesperson said: ‘The trial will just see the last tannoy announcements being made four minutes before departure on long-distance trains to give people plenty of time to get to their trains.

‘There is no change being made to actual boarding times, and passengers can still board their train up to 20 minutes before departure, as is the normal process.’

The decision comes after heavy criticism aimed at Euston – also managed by Network Rail – over its last-minute platform announcements.

Emma Dobson, a wheelchair user from Birmingham, told Metro last year: ‘It’s not going to be too long until someone is going to be killed in a crush. And I think that’s me.

‘If I’m in a large crowd or someone with a disability, it’s easier to go down and not be seen.’

A spokesperson said Network Rail had ‘invested significantly in making Euston better’ and was following a five-point plan to improve the situation there.

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