The transport secretary this week confirmed that the Government will take control of Avanti West Coast’s much-criticised services from 7th March 2027, part of a wider drive to put essential services back in public control.
As we reported in 2024, only 2% or fewer of trains on some of the busiest Avanti West Coast services between London and Manchester were leaving and arriving on time, an “Observer” analysis of National Rail figures revealed.
The newspaper reported that the operator of West Coast Main Line services remained the worst rail company in the UK for delays despite its pledge of a “laser focus” on improving performance.
Avanti West Coast’s new national rail contract began earlier that year, the much-criticised operating company having a core term of three years and a maximum possible term of nine years.
The Government said in 2024 that Avanti had made “significant improvements” for passengers after reports earlier in the year that the firm would lose the contract for passenger services, including those stopping at Crewe, Stoke and Macclesfield.
In March, the House of Lords heard that rail services in the region were “far below the standard that passengers rightly expect”, back when the “appalling” Avanti’s contract was still on the table to be renewed.
Back in 2024, Greater Manchester’s mayor – one Andy Burnham – called for the Government to appoint a “troubleshooter” to “get a grip” on the railway network. He said he wanted Avanti West Coast to be stripped of the franchise.
He told the newspaper: “Train services between the country’s most important cities are a national embarrassment.”
Now he is getting his wish, and transport secretary Heidi Alexander said was calling time on “unacceptable performance” on the West Coast Main Line, promising a “renewed focus on passengers over profits” and supporting growth in every postcode.
Performance still remains behind the industry average, with passengers frequently frustrated by delays and cancellations.
Infrastructure issues along the West Coast Main Line resulting from long-term underinvestment are the biggest cause of disruption for passengers.
The Government said that from 7th March 2027, taxpayers will no longer be paying fees to a private operator. Instead, “every penny” will be spent for the benefit of passengers it said.
Nationalisation will be supported by a dedicated improvement plan to “fix the basics”, delivering infrastructure improvements to cut delays and improve passenger experience.
The Government promised:
• Fewer delays and cancellations thanks to an extra £10 million boost for power and signalling maintenance to be delivered by the end of 2027;
• Faster and more reliable services through changes to existing timetables, focusing on routes going in and out of Manchester;
• Upgraded facilities at Euston, with a £50 million investment at Euston station over the next three years;
• More stable internet connection along the route through the deployment of low earth orbit satellite technology.
The Government said that on average, publicly owned operators performed better than those still in private hands, fares have been frozen for the first time in 30 years and 76,000 extra seats a week have been introduced on public operator services across the network to create more affordable and comfortable journeys up and down the country.
Northern, which has failed to deliver Sunday services to Congleton for two years, is already Government owned.
The Government will complete all public ownership transfers by the end of 2027 ahead of setting up Great British Railways.
Once set up, GBR will work in partnership with mayoral strategic authorities to make sure local priorities are factored into decision making, giving communities a more direct say in how the railway they use is run.
Ms Alexander said: “For years, we’ve heard stories of Avanti underperforming, with passengers left paying the price. Enough is enough.”
Andy Burnham, now promoted from his Manchester job, said: “For years, people have been expected to put up with Avanti’s cancellations, delays, overcrowding, and a service that has failed them time and time again.”
Avanti West Coast runs key routes through northern England and into Scotland, including services between Glasgow and Edinburgh and London Euston. It also runs a service between London and Wales, to Holyhead.
Speaking in 2024 in the House of Lords, Baroness Vere of Norbiton said: “Ministers recognise that the current service provision is far below the standard that passengers rightly expect. The Government constantly reviews operators’ performance … to ensure we reach a long-term solution that works for passengers in the north and across the rail network.”
The issue was raised by Lord McLoughlin, chairman of Transport for the North, who said that rail passengers in the north had had “a torrid time”, on all services, including Avanti and Northern.
