Avanti West Coast co-owner to launch €1bn Eurostar rival Transport and infrastructure A co-owner of Avanti West Coast has confirmed plans to launch a €1bn (£856.6m) rival Eurostar which would run services between London and Paris. FS Italiane Group is looking to run a high-speed rail service between the two capitals by 2029. The group, which co-owns Avanti West Coast alongside FirstGroup, has put aside €1bn for [...]
Avanti West Coast strikes suspended for next two Sundays amid ‘intensive talks’ Transport and infrastructure Strikes by Avanti West Coast train managers have been suspended for the next two weeks to allow time for “intensive talks.” In a statement on Thursday, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said planned industrial action on Sunday 19th January and Sunday 26th January would no longer be going ahead. All other previously announced [...]
Rail strikes: Warning of ‘irreparable fallout’ from train walkouts Politics The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned of the “irreparable fallout” from the ongoing round of Avanti West Coast rail strikes. Passengers faced disruption after rail managers who are members of the RMT union voted to strike on 31 December and 2 January, with disruption on routes to Glasgow, North Wales, Blackpool and Edinburgh. [...]
Avanti West Coast boss insists ‘laser focus’ will help cut cancellations and delays November 11, 2024 Avanti West Coast needs to maintain a “laser focus” on cutting cancellations and delays to its train services, its boss has said. Managing director Andy Mellors also insisted that the operator is “making progress” in improving its performance but that there is “still more to do”. The MD was speaking to the PA news agency [...]
How Network Rail is planning to stop the ‘Euston rush’ October 29, 2024 A plan to reduce the number of passengers rushing to platforms at Euston station in London has been revealed by Network Rail. The Government-owned company is to allow passengers travelling on around 40 per cent of Avanti West Coast services from the London station to board trains 20 minutes before departure. Network Rail said this [...]
Rail line connecting North West to Midlands would be ’40 per cent’ cheaper than HS2 September 13, 2024 Plans for a new rail line connecting the West Midlands to the North West could be delivered at just 60 per cent of the cost of HS2’s cancelled Northern leg, according to Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. The proposed 80km line, backed by a consortium of businesses and politicians, would run from Lichfield in Staffordshire to [...]
King’s Speech: Labour outlines plan to nationalise rail operators July 17, 2024 King Charles said the new government would improve the railways by establishing Great British Railways and bringing rail operators into public ownership.
Labour threatens to strip Avanti rail contract as Branson plans rival June 12, 2024 Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh told Sky News Avanti had provided passengers with "woeful service" on the West Coast Main Line.