Monday 2 Aug 2021
Tests show no traces of Covid-19 at London Euston station
- Region & Route:
- North West & Central
- | North West & Central: West Coast Mainline South
Passengers can travel in confidence after university academics found no traces of the Covid-19 virus during two rounds of testing at London Euston station.
Places passengers touch regularly like escalator handrails, ticket machines, and benches were swabbed, and hour-long air samples were taken on the station concourse in January and June*.
The same tests were repeated on two inter-city train routes**.
Between the testing dates station passenger numbers increased by 190%.
All lab tests by Imperial College London showed no Covid-19 contamination of any surface tested or airborne particles of the virus in station or on trains.
The conclusions from the independent report commissioned by Network Rail say enhanced cleaning methods across the rail industry and widespread wearing of face coverings by passengers are key reasons for the negative results.
Rob Mole, senior programme manager for Network Rail’s COVID response, said: “Station cleaning teams and train staff have made it their mission to keep passengers safe during the pandemic and this is proof their dedicated approach works.
“We want all passengers to travel in confidence on the railway network and we will keep doing our part by rigorously cleaning trains and stations. We ask passengers to do their bit too by wearing face coverings while travelling out of respect for others so we can all stop the spread of Covid-19.”
David Green, senior research fellow at Imperial College London, said: “In the same way that a swab is used to take a COVID-19 test in the nose and throat and sent to the lab, we use a filter to collect any virus particles in the air and swabs to collect viruses on surfaces.
"This approach provides a way of quantifying the amount of virus circulating in these public environments and the effect of mitigation strategies like cleaning and wearing face coverings. This is part of a wider programme of work with the public transport sector to understand where this virus is most prevalent so that we can return to pre-pandemic activities as safely as possible.”
Natasha Grice, executive director of customer experience, said: “We really welcome these findings, which demonstrate that customers can travel with confidence. We have a well-established enhanced cleaning regime with a focus on touch points, including door buttons, tables, handrails, armrests and toilets, as well as using long-lasting sanitiser onboard our trains. We’re delighted to have this clear evidence that backs up our approach.”
Enhanced cleaning procedures will remain in place with hand sanitiser and face masks available on the station concourse to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Passengers who can are expected to wear a face covering in stations and on trains so everyone can travel in confidence.
People should continue to plan ahead, sanitise their hands regularly and open a train window while travelling if possible.
To find out more about what Network Rail is doing to stop the spread of Covid-19 visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/coronavirus/.
Interviews are available on request - please email media manager Chris Halpin on chris.halpin@networkrail.co.uk or call 07740 782954.
Notes to Editors
*London Euston station sampling
First round station tests - 12 January 2021
Seven surfaces were swabbed including a vending machine, stair handrail, concourse seating, ticket machine, surface in the Assisted Travel Lounge, waiting room, and escalator handrail.
An hour-long air (aerosol) sample was taken on the concourse.
There were 20,299 passenger journeys made through London Euston station that day.
Second round station tests - 7 June 2021
Five surfaces were swabbed including inside the Assisted Travel Lounge, a concourse bench, stair handrail to the mezzanine, escalator handrail and a ticket machine.
An hour-long air (aerosol) sample was taken on the station concourse.
There were 58,915 passenger journeys made through London Euston station that day.
This represents a 190% increase in passengers from the first test to the second.
**Train sampling
First round train test – 12 January 2021
An Avanti West Coast service from London Euston to Birmingham was tested on 12 January 2021.
Seven swabs were taken on a table, interconnecting carriage door button, seat handle, two carriage door exit buttons, exit handrail, and toilet door button.
An hour-long air sample also took place in a carriage.
Second round train test 1 – 7 June 2021
An Avanti West Coast service from London Euston to Birmingham was tested on 7 June 2021.
Five swabs were taken on a carriage door exit button, seat handle, toilet door handrail, a table and carriage door exit button.
An hour-long air sample also took place in a carriage.
Second round train test 2 – 10 June 2021
An Avanti West Coast service from Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston was tested on 10 June 2021.
Five swabs were taken on a carriage door exit button, seat handle, toilet door button, a table and carriage door exit button.
An hour-long air sample also took place in a carriage.
The testing explained
Surface testing
Each swab covered an area of approximately 25cm2 which was then placed in a vial containing virus transportation medium.
Air samples
Filter samples were taken using a high-volume sampler for 1 hour on the station concourse, or the duration of the train journey. After sampling the filters were placed in a vial containing virus transportation medium.
Samples were kept cold following sampling and transported via refrigerated transport to the laboratory overnight.
Contact information
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