Rail passengers have secured a significant victory after plans to run a popular peak-time train from Manchester to London without any customers were dramatically scrapped.
Regulator Performs Swift U-turn
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has reversed its controversial decision to remove passengers from the 7am Avanti West Coast service from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston. The industry watchdog had initially marked the weekday train for removal from the new timetable set to launch on December 15.
Under the original proposal, the service would have continued to run empty, solely to transport crew from Manchester to the capital, earning it the nickname the 'ghost train'. The ORR had justified the move using evidence from Network Rail, arguing that operating the train on a 'firebreak' path without passengers would allow for easier delays or rerouting, boosting overall performance on the busy West Coast Main Line.
Fierce Political Backlash Forces Rethink
The plan sparked immediate and fierce criticism from local leaders. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham led the charge, branding the idea wasteful. A cross-party group of Greater Manchester MPs also penned a letter to ORR Chief Executive John Larkinson, calling the decision 'deeply perverse' and a squandering of taxpayers' money.
This pressure proved decisive. On Monday, the regulator confirmed it had performed a U-turn. An ORR 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." They acknowledged that the service could still impact reliability but recognised its importance and popularity.
A Welcome Boost for Commuters and Connectivity
The news was warmly welcomed by the train operator and politicians. An Avanti West Coast spokesperson expressed delight, stating the reversal was a "welcome boost" for customers relying on the sub-two-hour link between two major UK cities. Network Rail also said it welcomed the decision and would support the service's continuation.
Reacting on social media, Mayor Andy Burnham wrote: "I am glad common sense has prevailed BUT the UK's fastest-growing city-region should not be in the position of having to beg and plead for basic rail connectivity." Rochdale MP Paul Waugh, who signed the protest letter, hailed the move as a "win for common sense and a win for passengers."
He added a stark warning to decision-makers: "This should also be a wake-up call for those making decisions about the future of rail services. The North won't sit back while essential connectivity is chipped away." The reversal ensures a key early morning service remains available for jobs, business, and family life, setting a precedent for regional rail advocacy.
