ON TUESDAY (November 1), Aberconwy MP Robin Millar asked the minister of state for rail, Kevin Foster MP, if the UK Government agreed that the name of the West Coast Mainline franchise should be changed to reflect the strategic importance of the North Wales Main Line.

Mr Millar said: “Residents of Aberconwy know only too well the importance of the services that run on the North Wales Main Line.

“Indeed, the UK Connectivity Review reflected the strategic importance of that infrastructure, but, unfortunately, the Avanti emergency timetable does not seem to recognise that.

“It barely delivers a main line service. Effectively, giving North Wales branch line status is causing real problems.

“Will the minister confirm that, in any future considerations of the franchise, it will bear the name the North Wales and West Coast Main Line to reflect the strategic importance of North Wales to the rail service?”

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Responding, Mr Foster said: “I am conscious of the vital economic role that the railway plays in north Wales in terms of economic performance.

“As my honourable friend says, the current service is not acceptable. We look forward in December to seeing the restoration of the majority of direct services.

“I hope that he will appreciate why I am not going to commit to a rebranding exercise on the floor of the house this afternoon.

“But I am sure many colleagues will have a view as to whether the current name that the line operates under is the best compared with some of the other names that could have been chosen.”

Following the debate, Mr Millar said: “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 drastic improvements are delivered quickly.

“Although it is inexcusable that they were cancelled in the first place, I have cautiously welcomed last week’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.”