The rail minister will meet with Avanti West Coast train drivers
in Holyhead after Ynys Môn MP asked him to do so.
accepted the invitation after Virginia spoke in
Parliament yesterday in a debate on Avanti and its poor train
services.
Presently there is only one direct service from London to the
island each day due to a driver shortage. Many drivers are not
undertaking overtime to fill the gaps.
“I need the Minister’s help. Businesses and people across
Anglesey need a reliable and frequent train service to Holyhead,”
Virginia told MPs.
“Avanti West Coast has a woeful track record and reputation in
north Wales, bringing misery on a daily basis to thousands of
people trying to get to work or school, or simply trying to live
their lives.
“Like many others, I was shocked when, at the beginning of
October, the UK Government awarded First Trenitalia West Coast
Rail Ltd a short extension to its current contract to continue to
operate the Avanti West Coast contract until 1 April 2023.
That was incredibly disappointing for me, my colleagues and my
constituents, who have suffered train services that are well
below par for the past two and a half years. Avanti West Coast
has committed to delivering around 90% of its pre-pandemic
timetable from 11 December, with five direct trains a day
from London to Holyhead and four at weekends. I have no faith
that Avanti will be able to deliver that timetable.
“I respectfully ask the minister to join me in meeting Avanti
train drivers to hear from them directly about their working
conditions and why they are not volunteering to work overtime. I
would be happy to facilitate the meeting in Holyhead, where my
home is.”
In reply, the minister said: “I assure my honourable friend…I
will be delighted to join her in Holyhead, meet those drivers and
have a look around her constituency to see the impact she has so
ably described. I look forward to having a good, honest
conversation with the drivers. I always worked well with the rail
force in my previous role, and hope I can do so again in my
current one.”
Speaking afterward Virginia added: “I am delighted the minister
will visit. It’s important he hears from the drivers and from my
constituents who are fed up to the back teeth with Avanti.”
