THE MP for Aberconwy, Robin Millar, has cautiously welcomed confirmation from Avanti West Coast that direct services between North Wales and London will resume in December.

Following several meetings with North Wales Conservative MPs, Avanti West Coast has today (October 13) confirmed that, from December 11, there will be five direct services each way between London and Llandudno Junction six days a week.

On Sundays, there will be four services to Llandudno Junction and three to London.

While this is still below the pre-COVID-19-pandemic volume of services, today’s confirmation marks a return of direct services to North Wales that were cut entirely when Avanti introduced an emergency timetable in August.

Mr Millar said: “Avanti’s implementation of an emergency timetable was one thing – but implementing one that removed direct services between London and North Wales is inexcusable.

“I share the upset and inconvenience that has been expressed to me by so many local businesses and residents.

“The UK Connectivity Review identified that North Wales is both an essential part of a UK wide transport network and in desperate need of investment.

“I fought hard to make these points in its compilation. Both point to the essential nature of this service.

“Avanti have overseen an unacceptable reduction in performance levels, and it is imperative that the service levels that have been confirmed today are introduced on time and are adhered to rigidly.

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“I have met with Avanti’s management several times over recent months to demand an improvement to the services provided to North Wales passengers and businesses.

“Last month I joined North Wales MP colleagues in demanding that Avanti West Coast be stripped of the franchise.

“With Avanti’s previous contract due to come to an end this month, a short-term extension was announced last week that will see it continue to run services on the route until April 1, 2023.

“This intervention is designed to provide Avanti with the opportunity to improve their services.

“The UK Government will then consider Avanti’s performance while finalising a National Rail contract that will have a renewed focus on resilience of train services and continuity for passengers.

“Although it is inexcusable that they were cancelled in the first place, I cautiously welcome today’s confirmation that direct services will resume in December.

“However, if, by April, Aberconwy residents and businesses still aren’t receiving the standard of service to which they are entitled, I will not hesitate to call on the UK Government to permanently strip Avanti West Coast of the franchise to operate this vital route.

“Throughout the pandemic, the UK Government helped the rail industry to survive an 80 per cent drop in passenger numbers through an unprecedented £18billion in support from UK taxpayers.

“Unlike so many workers throughout the economy, including many here in Aberconwy, all railway workers’ jobs were protected.

“Their full incomes were supported. Their pensions were safeguarded.

“Reliable transport connections are vital for daily life, for our continued economic recovery here in Aberconwy and investor confidence in North Wales.

“The team at Avanti must recognise the hardship that is being inflicted. They should acknowledge the unprecedented support that they have received and make every effort to provide the service that rail users want and deserve.

“I am campaigning for the long-term future of the railway and for the investment needed for the decarbonisation of the North Wales Coast Line.

“This investment will not be delivered if passengers lose faith in the railway and starve it of revenue.

“The pandemic has sparked an unprecedented change in passenger behaviour and I am deeply concerned that Avanti’s recent performance will encourage passengers and investors to look at alternatives.

“I hope that the entire Avanti team will unite in rising to the challenge that this government intervention sets them.”