UK government to nationalise Avanti West Coast from March 7

Heidi Alexander announced that Avanti West Coast will be nationalised on March 7, as part of a broader effort to address chronic delays and overcrowding on the West Coast Main Line. The government will inject an additional £10 million for power and signalling upkeep, on top of the £840 million already pledged for infrastructure upgrades. Passengers can expect faster, more reliable services and improved onboard Wi-Fi, with timetable revisions focusing on Manchester corridors.

Andy Mellors, Avanti's managing director, praised recent fleet refurbishments and new Evero trains, and said the company will work with the state to ensure a smooth transition. Between April and June, 7.1% of Avanti services were cancelled, a rate roughly double the national average. The nationalisation fulfills Labour's 2024 commitment to return England's major rail franchises to public ownership by 2027, while CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway remain privately operated.