Local MP complains about Avanti train service, just hours after company has contract renewed

Cat Smith says her train had no hot water and she ate a 'mouldy brownie'

Author: Louisa KingPublished 20th Mar 2023

The Lancaster and Fleetwood MP has complained about the service of Avanti West Coast on Twitter, hours after it was announced the rail operator's contract had been extended by the Government.

Cat Smith, who has represented the constituency since 2015, said her Avanti train had been cancelled, no hot water was available on her later service and she had eaten a mouldy brownie.

The company's Twitter account replied to Ms Smith's tweet, asking for clearer photo evidence before saying it would investigate the issues and provide a refund for the brownie.

Ms Smith said: "So far today @AvantiWestCoast have cancelled my train, so I am on a later train with no seat reservation, they have no hot water and the chocolate brownie I bought from the shop has mould growing on it... which I only noticed after the first bite tasted off - useless company".

When asked by Avanti if she had reported the issue to staff onboard, she added: "No, I'm not doing the obstacle course of climbing over suitcases and dogs all in the aisles of the train to report this to the shop."

The MP then posted pictures of her brownie and a carriage door that appeared to be blocked by bags and suitcases.

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