In a dramatic reversal, a flagship early morning train service between Manchester and London has been saved from becoming a daily 'ghost train'. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has overturned its own controversial decision, allowing the 7am Avanti West Coast service from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston to continue carrying passengers.
Regulator Backs Down Following Public Outcry
The rail regulator had initially ruled that the popular service should be removed from the passenger timetable from mid-December. Bizarrely, the train would have continued to run empty each weekday morning solely to position rolling stock for return journeys out of Euston. The ORR argued this was necessary to create space for manoeuvre in case of disruption on the busy West Coast Main Line, even though Network Rail had agreed Avanti could carry passengers on the service that was running anyway.
The decision provoked widespread condemnation from passengers, northern leaders, and government ministers. Facing significant pressure, the ORR announced it would reconsider. A spokesperson stated: "We have taken account of all the evidence and feedback, and we have given Network Rail and Avanti the go-ahead to arrange for the 7am service to continue running with passengers."
A Prized and Profitable Service
The 7am departure is highly valued as it is the only service linking the two major cities in under two hours, completing the journey in precisely one hour and 59 minutes. Running non-stop from Stockport, it arrives in the capital shortly before 9am, making it indispensable for business travellers and others with morning appointments.
First introduced by Virgin Trains in 2008, the service was paused during the Covid pandemic and subsequent operator troubles before being restored by Avanti in 2024. It has been a significant revenue generator, with profits now passed to the Department for Transport under Avanti's management contract.
Essential Lifeline for Passengers
For many, the service is more than a convenience; it is a critical lifeline. Chloe Chapman, 31, a full-time carer from Crewe, described the reversal as "amazing news". She explained that the train made 9am hospital appointments in London feasible for her disabled child, avoiding the strain of long car journeys and exhausting days.
The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, welcomed the U-turn, saying passengers were "rightly baffled" by the original ruling, which she said was wrong for the economy. Rail minister Peter Hendy is also understood to have leaned on the regulator to rethink.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson expressed delight at the decision, calling it a "welcome boost for those who want to take advantage of a sub two-hour service between two of the UK’s major cities." The ORR has cautioned that operating the service could impact overall line reliability and has tasked operators with mitigating any performance issues.
