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The Office of Rail and Road has changed its mind about making the 07.00 Avanti West Coast train from Manchester to London an empty stock working carrying only staff, following widespread protests.
The ORR had instructed AWC to cease advertising the train after the 15th of this month, saying that its path was needed as a ‘firebreak’ spare which can be used to help recovery from delays.
The train is the only one from Piccadilly to Euston which completes the journey in a minute under two hours, and it will now stay in public service. Network Rail had already said it could carry passengers, as the train was running because it and its staff are needed in London each morning to work a return service to the north.
The ORR said: ‘We have taken account of all the evidence and feedback, and we have given Network Rail and Avanti the go ahead to arrange for the 07.00 service to continue running with passengers. On the basis of the information we have, we believe the running of this service could have a negative impact on reliability and punctuality of services on the West Coast Main Line, but we recognise its importance and popularity and will support its continued operation.’
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander had also joined the debate. She said: ‘Passengers were rightly baffled by this decision, which is wrong for our economy. I am pleased the regulator has reconsidered.
‘We need one organisation to run the railway, not 17 different ones. The Railways Bill, being debated in parliament next week, will ensure problems like these are eliminated.’
Operator Avanti West Coast added that it was ‘delighted’. It pointed out: ‘The original decision would have had a detrimental impact on customers who use this train and this development is a welcome boost for those who want to take advantage of a sub-two hour service between two major cities.’
Readers’ comments
How not to run a railway. Running a fully staffed train empty in exactly the same path following the December timetable change may have made sense in the regulatory universe but in the real world was always going to look ludicrous when exposed to the glare of publicity. With the Railways Bill due its second reading may this example concentrate our elected representatives’ minds to why the railway's structure has been blighted by costly complexity. Of course the ORR decision also affected Blackpool and Chester/North Wales services. What now for the prospects of Avanti being able to restore these?
Chris Jones-Bridger, Buckley, Flintshire
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