Avanti West Coast to be nationalised next March in rail public-ownership push
The government will take control of Avanti West Coast services between London, Glasgow and Edinburgh in March 2027, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced ahead of Labour's conference.
The government will take control of Avanti West Coast’s rail services between London and the Scottish cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh in March 2027, bringing the private operator into public ownership when its contract expires.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander made the announcement on Monday, saying she would tell Labour conference delegates in Liverpool: “For years, we’ve heard stories of Avanti underperforming, with passengers left paying the price. Enough is enough.” The transfer will take effect on March 7, 2027.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Avanti had failed passengers “time and time again”, writing on X: “We’re putting essential services back in public hands and building a railway that actually works for the people who use it.” Avanti recorded the highest proportion of cancellations in Britain this summer, at double the national average, according to analysis by The Times, which also reported it approved more than 1.4 million delay repay claims in the year to March — about a million more than in 2019.
Ministers promised a £10 million investment in power and signalling maintenance, £840 million earmarked for West Coast Main Line infrastructure and a £50 million upgrade of Euston station. After the takeover, East Midlands Railway and Cross Country would be the only train operators yet to be nationalised.
Sources
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