Statement on Avanti West Coast Services – 09/08/22

As the Member of Parliament for Stockport, I am concerned about the news that Avanti West Coast has suspended ticket sales and slashed its timetables, thereby returning to pandemic-levels of service. I understand that the London Euston to Manchester service will be among the worst affected and this will undoubtedly cause chaos at train stations and added congestion on our roads. 

Attributing the “current industrial relations climate” to the reason Avanti is unable to maintain a reliable and reasonable level of service creates a false picture of both the reasons behind this wave of industrial action and serves as an attempt to abdicate responsibility for the insufficient staffing numbers. 

To blame insufficient staffing on “unofficial strike action” when referring to drivers taking rest days is alarming.  Staff are under no obligation to work rest days and Avanti’s false allegations only serve to prove that the company has failed to recruit and maintain appropriate staffing levels. 

We need a public transport system that works for passengers and staff alike; one that is fully staffed with a regular, reliable and affordable service. That is a far cry away from the system we have now, where profit extraction eclipses public need.

The government must bear responsibility for the mismanagement of our railways. The UK has the highest fares in Europe and We Own It has calculated that we waste £1 billion a year on rail privatisation. This urgently needs addressing. 

I urge Grant Shapps to meet with ASLEF and the RMT Union to address this as soon as possible.