Ban on Avanti West Coast Operating Five WCML Services from December
Avanti West Coast will cease operations of five key services starting in December following the rejection of requests to make temporary rights permanent. This change comes after Network Rail (NR) determined that capacity constraints on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) South prevented the continuation of these services.
Impacted Services and Timetable Changes
The affected routes include:
- 0700 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston
- 1932 Chester to Euston (weekdays)
- 1753 Holyhead to Euston (Sundays)
- 0939 Euston to Blackpool North
- 1252 Blackpool North to Euston (weekdays)
These services will be removed as part of the upcoming December timetable adjustment, significantly reducing options for passengers on these routes.
Network Rail’s Capacity Concerns
According to NR, the current operation limits on WCML South are already at critical levels. Introducing additional services could disrupt the balance needed for a reliable system. NR emphasized that adding more trains would lead to increased reactionary delays and jeopardize timetable stability.
Avanti West Coast disputed this assessment, except for the Manchester service. The company argued that the services posed minimal performance risks and criticized NR for not acting in the industry’s best interest.
Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) Decision
The ORR upheld NR’s decision to decline Avanti’s requests for service continuation. Their reports indicated that the applications would occupy critical pathways essential for performance management on the WCML South Fast Lines.
Service Modifications and Alternatives
The decisions have led to frustration for Avanti, as three services will be entirely discontinued. The Sunday evening service from Holyhead to Euston will now terminate at Crewe starting December 14. The Chester-Euston service, which began operating in September, represented improvements in the company’s timetable.
Despite these challenges, Avanti plans to enhance its overall network. From December, they will increase the number of trains on the Liverpool route from 20 to 27 (northbound) and from 21 to 26 (southbound). This adjustment will provide a more frequent service of two trains per hour throughout the day.
Additionally, two Euston-Glasgow services that were previously rejected by NR have now been accommodated, further showcasing their commitment to improving services despite ongoing capacity issues.
Conclusion
While the suspension of five key services from Avanti West Coast marks a significant operational shift, the company remains focused on expanding other successful routes within its network. The adjustments underscore the ongoing complexities and challenges faced by rail operators and the industry at large.
