This week a new National Rail Contract was issued to Avanti West Coast by the UK Government’s Department for Transport.
I hear regular complaints from constituents about overcrowding, lack of frequency, poor cleanliness and unreliability in our rail services. As a regular rail user myself, I recognise these frustrations. However, I have seen an improvement in the Avanti services in recent months and in my discussions with Avanti officials I have heard about their plans and the steps they have taken to improve their service.
There is a long way to go to get to the service we need in north Wales and could expect, but I welcome today’s announcement for the long-term stability it offers to the operator Avanti to continue improvements and invest in an enhanced passenger experience. That must be good news for users.
I also fully support the inclusion of the three-year break clause to the contract to ensure Avanti does continue its work to restore service levels. I speak regularly with local rail users about their experiences of travelling with Avanti West Coast. My ‘Railway Users Survey’ on the homepage of my website has received the experiences of hundreds of other residents and local rail users. The information is used to inform my own view and to bring challenge directly to Ministers and Avanti’s management team.
In July I invited the Rail-Minister to Aberconwy to discuss Avanti’s service. I have also met with officials from Avanti’s owners, First Group and last week I met with Avanti Managing Director, Andy Mellors, to discuss the challenges for users and hold them to account for issues within their control.
I will continue working with passengers to keep pressure on service and performance levels. I will continue to campaign for the franchise to be renamed the North Wales and West Coast Main Line to reflect its vital importance to us and the rest of the UK. I will also continue to press for the decarbonisation of the line – which will be essential for meeting commitments to reducing carbon and stimulating the economy along the coast.