Boss of Avanti West Coast summoned by Transport Secretary over 'woeful' train service

The managing director of Avanti West Coast has been summoned by the new Transport Secretary to account for the train company's 'woeful' service, the Government has said.

Louise Haigh demanded 'immediate action' from Avanti in a meeting with its MD, Andy Mellors, after official figures showed its passengers faced some of the worst travel disruption in the country. The train operating company runs services from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston - and is no stranger to passenger and politician criticism over cancelled trains and general performance on the West Coast Main Line.

Labour said before the General Election that it would urgently consider stripping the operator of its operating contract if the party was voted into Government.

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The Conservative government awarded Avanti West Coast – owned by FirstGroup and Trenitalia – a new long-term contract starting in October last year. The agreement is for up to nine years, but can be terminated with three months' notice at any point from October 2026.

The talks on Tuesday mark the start of a 'rail performance' investigation in which the 'worst performing' train firms will be called in by the Department for Transport (DfT) as cancellations reach record highs.

Route directors at Network Rail have also been summoned to attend all meetings with companies to “bring together track and train and hold both sides accountable”, ending the “culture of blame” on the railways, the department said.

Ms Haigh said: “Britain’s railways are failing passengers day-in, day-out, and as Passenger-in-Chief I’ve made it my number one priority to hold industry bosses to account. That’s why I’ve