While welcoming proactive Government intervention to improve Avanti West Coast’s substandard service, Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, made clear that dramatic improvements still need to be made or contracts should be removed.
This comes following the Government’s decision to grant Avanti West Coast a new short-term contract to administer the West Coast Mainline route until 11th October. The vital artery connects Cumbrian stations like Penrith and Carlisle with other towns and cities from London to Glasgow.
Almost 6 months ago Avanti’s poor performance became too much, and the Government stepped in, ordering the development of a recovery plan which saw direct ministerial intervention introduce a recovery timetable that has seen significant improvements. Since being introduced on 11th December, Avanti West Coast’s improvements include:
- Weekday services have risen from 180 trains per day to 264 – the highest level in over 2 years.
- Reducing cancellations from nearly 25% of the service in August 2022, to 4.2% in early March 2023 – the lowest in over 12 months.
- 90% of trains now arriving within 15 minutes of the booked time.
- Over 100 additional drivers have been recruited, reducing reliance on union-controlled overtime working.
Dr Hudson welcomed the improvement but maintains that all options should remain on the table if performance does not improve further – including stripping Avanti of their contract.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“Travelling from Cumbria to London representing my constituents I use this line every week, and while I’ve seen some signs of improvement, there is still a long way to go. That is clear from my own experience and from conversations I've had with constituents who are frankly fed up.
"I’m proud to see robust Government intervention making real change but I maintain that nothing should be taken off the table – including stripping Avanti of its contract – if more isn’t achieved to further improve customer experiences. The Government has made good progress on this issue to date and so for the sake of the British public I urge Avanti to continue working collegiately with passengers, ministers, and watchdogs."
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper added:
“The routes Avanti West Coast run are absolutely vital, and I fully understand the frustrations passengers felt at the completely unacceptable services seen last Autumn. Following our intervention, Rail Minister Huw Merriman and I have worked closely with local leaders to put a robust plan in place, which I’m glad to see is working.
“However, there is still more work to be done to bring services up to the standards we expect, which is why over this next 6 months further improvements will need to be made by Avanti West Coast.”
In November, at the peak of Avanti’s poor and unreliable service, Dr Hudson spoke out in Parliament against the company’s performance, warning that without improvement, they should be stripped of the contract. Watch here: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/parliament-dr-neil-hudson-calls-avanti-west-coasts-poor-and-unreliable-service-improve-or-face.
Alongside improving current routes, Dr Hudson also firmly believes that opening new routes and reopening disused routes will go a long way towards getting Cumbria connected - in turn unlocking Cumbria's economic, educational and social potential. Read more about all Dr Hudson is doing to boost Cumbria's rail network here: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/dr-neil-hudson-pushes-full-steam-ahead-reopen-rail-routes-and-get-cumbria-connected.