Local MSP blasts contract extension for train provider
Colin Smyth says the decision to continue the Avanti West Coast Contract is 'rewarding failure'
Last updated 10th Nov 2023
A contract extension for rail provider Avanti West Coast has been described as ‘rewarding failure’ by a local MSP, following years of cancellations and disrupted services at Lockerbie Train Station.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has criticised the UK Government decision to extend the Avanti West Coast contract for up to nine years.
It's understood the new contract, which begins on 15 October, can however be terminated at any point after three years with three months' notice.
Avanti West Coast runs trains between London and Glasgow and Edinburgh including through Lockerbie and Carlisle, and has received criticism for the level of disruption and cancellations.
TransPennine Express also run services at Lockerbie Train Station.
Calls for change are being made
In response to the Avanti contract extension, MSP Colin Smyth is calling for the providers to be stripped of the franchise:
“This decision by the UK Government is shocking and simply rewards failure.
“Passengers from Lockerbie have been suffering terrible service for years thanks to the failed franchise from Avanti and it should have been removed.
“As it is, we will now potentially face years of cancellations and delays from Transpennine and Avanti and it is not good enough.
“Passengers travelling from Lockerbie deserve better.”
Ian McLatchie runs the Black Bull pub next to Lockerbie Train Station. He says people haven’t had faith in the rail services for years:
“The rail services in Lockerbie Train Station the past few years have been absolutely horrendous, they’ve been so unreliable the trains these days it’s had quite a big impact on businesses here in Lockerbie.
“Whether that be my own bar, or other local businesses, because people just aren’t stopping.
"There’s no trust in the rail service.”
“It’s just getting to the point now that people aren’t coming to use the trains because they’re so unreliable, people have lost all faith in them.”
But, Ian says the issue doesn’t just lie with Avanti, and that TransPennine Express services are also troublesome.
It’s hoped that some improvement will be seen.
In a statement, Avanti West Coast Managing Director Andy Mellors said:
“The National Rail Contract for the West Coast Partnership announced today provides stability for customers and colleagues as we continue to rebuild trust as well as confidence.
“Over the last six months, we have delivered significant and sustained improvements in operational performance and customer satisfaction.
"Cancellations that Avanti West Coast is responsible for have stabilised at below two percent of scheduled services. The last year has been challenging but I would like to thank our customers as well as stakeholders for their patience.
“There are still challenges ahead but plenty to look forward to on our network including customer benefits such as the continued award-winning refurbishment of our Pendolinos and the introduction of our new Hitachi fleet, which will increase capacity and further improve our sustainability credentials.”