Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has raised concerns over the government's
choice of HS2 operator after the repeated failings and delays by
Avanti West Coast.
During a question to the Transport Minister called for the Government
to reconsider Avanti being awarded the HS2 contract. Mrs
Hobhouse cited the absurdity of the Government rewarding failure
by giving billions of pounds to rail operators.
Avanti has come under criticism recently after it was revealed
that scores of trains have been cancelled with tickets between
London and Manchester not available until late November. Recently
the operator has fallen into turmoil, its Managing Director
resigning in disgrace after it has announced that it would be
cutting its rail services to a third. The Bath MP called on the
government to look again at the contract in-light of these major
failings.
Commenting after said:
“The Conservatives' appalling record on transport continues. From
slashed bus services to train operators being rewarded for
failure. Things have to change. Avanti is just the latest example
of the Conservatives' failure when it comes to transport.
“There is no excuse for cutting the rail services that people's
livelihoods depend on so drastically and without warning.
“It is typical of this Conservative government to fail to correct
this quickly. They have allowed this situation to develop with no
solution in sight.
‘It is shameful that Avanti has not only been allowed to continue
with its operation of the West Coast line but that this
government has rewarded Avanti’s failings with a
multi-million-pound contract for the operation of HS2. Clearly,
this government cannot say it cares for the needs of ordinary
people whilst Avanti continues to operate on our railways.”
ENDS
Notes to the Editors
:
Is it not absurd that the Government are pouring billions of
pounds into companies owned by other countries’ Governments?
Whatever the ownership of the companies, they are failing to
deliver services but have been awarded multi-million-pound
contracts by the Government. Avanti is supposed to run HS2.
Should that really happen in the light of the catastrophic
delivery failures, and will the Government look at a new operator
for HS2?
, Minister of State for
Transport:
I repeat that all options are on the table. The decisions on HS2
are a bit further away. As HS2 Minister, I can say that we are
having those conversations. I am certainly speaking with Avanti
and visiting all phases of HS2, both in development and in
construction. Those conversations are live.
