Plans to axe a crucial early morning train service connecting Manchester and London have been dramatically reversed following a fierce public backlash. The Avanti West Coast 7am service from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston, which was slated to become a 'ghost train' in a new timetable, will now continue to run after intervention from government ministers.
A Packed Service Defies Cancellation Plans
On Wednesday morning, the very train destined for the scrapheap was a picture of bustling commuter life. The 7am service was fully booked, with a long queue forming at the onboard cafe despite a broken microwave putting bacon sandwiches off the menu. Liam, a customer service specialist on the train, remarked he hadn't seen it so busy since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Honestly, I actually think people had forgotten about it," he said, suggesting the announcement of its cancellation had ironically reminded travellers of its value. The service, while retaining a loyal core, had seen usage dip with the rise of remote working, but the threat to its existence prompted a renewed surge in passengers.
Passenger Fury Forces a Government U-Turn
The original decision, made by the rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road, was part of a wider timetable shake-up aimed at improving reliability on a busy line. The regulator had proposed removing the 7am and four other Avanti services to minimise disruption risks. However, the move sparked immediate anger from regular users and caught the attention of Rail Minister Peter Hendy and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
Mike, a 55-year-old loyal passenger, called the initial plan "daft," questioning whether it showed a lack of care for northern travellers. Another passenger, Alex, 32, was baffled by the logic. "Why would they cancel it? What's the point of making life harder for people?" he asked, highlighting the service's role as the quickest way to reach the capital.
Reliability Concerns and an Uncertain Future
The debate over the train's future hinges on its punctuality. An analysis revealed that out of its last 11 journeys, only one arrived at Euston on time. The cumulative delay across those runs was 119 minutes—coincidentally the exact journey time promised on the ticket. An Avanti employee confirmed that delays, often caused by congestion approaching London, were common.
While the immediate threat has passed and a working microwave is promised from Thursday, the service's long-term prospects remain unclear. Its current profitability is inflated by a post-cancellation boom, and the fundamental issue of fitting a fast but often delayed train into a congested timetable persists. For now, however, passengers on the 7am from Manchester can breathe a sigh of relief.
