Avanti West Coast under fire as contract decision looms

In an urgent question, Trudy Harrison acknowledged that Avanti West Coast had lack “certainty and reliability” for rail users in the UK.

However, Harrison refused to make any comments on any renewal of the contract in October, stating that the transport secretary had not yet made a decision.

Those of the opposite side of the House of Commons made their views clear on the poor service provided, with shadow secretary Louise Haigh saying that consumers are “tired of excuses”.