Case study: bringing staff in from the cold
27 October 2026
Concerns raised after staff were forced to use cold welfare facilities for more than a year.
A reporter raised concerns after staff were forced to use cold welfare facilities in Hardwick House at Euston Station for more than a year. The messroom was not staying warm despite having an air-conditioning unit, while the toilet radiators were not working at all.
As these areas are used during breaks, the reporter warned that poor conditions were affecting staff wellbeing and asked Network Rail to take urgent action.
An investigation found the problem stemmed from an earlier engineering project that was part of HS2 enabling works. Heating had not been reconnected, and a pump had been left isolated. This prevented the system from working correctly.
Specialist contractors tested and repaired the heating system, restoring it to full working order.
The air-conditioning unit was also checked and confirmed to be working correctly: the temperature is set at a comfortable 20°C. Staff can now adjust the settings, if necessary, giving them a warmer and more comfortable place to take their breaks.