Concerns raised over reduction of Avanti West Coast’s train services to resort

A transport advisor on disability issues has raised concerns after hearing that services to London from Blackpool are to be reduced to just one train a day by operator Avanti.

And Stephen Brookes MBE, who lives in Blackpool, says new timetables show the company will be running no weekend services between the resort and London at all.

Avanti provides the principal long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England.

The company refutes the claims and says it will be offering two trains a day in both directions.

But Mr Brookes, a Transport Policy Adviser for Disability Rights UK, says the timetables do not lie and the new move leaves Blackpool people disadvantaged if they need to get to the capital.

He said: “After the changes there is one train to London and on Saturday May 24, there isn’t a single one.

“That means I would have to travel to Preston, one of the worst stations in the country for people like me who are disabled.”

Mr Brookes said in a letter to the train operating company: “It is a great disappointment to discover that from May 19 the Avanti service to Blackpool is being reduced to one run per day with no weekend operations at all.

“From my own mobility issue, which is now severe, the Avanti link to Blackpool is ‘nearly’ useful, although the limited number of users and lack of cohesive publicity does reflect the appalling departure times of 05.25 , 11.51 and 15.51.

“Any promotion of your services has been non-existent, and support or review has also been lacking.

“For me and other disabled and older passengers, the unacceptable service provision involving a change at Preston on a station which has massive fail points for accessibility is a big loser.

“Will you please advise what is going to be provided to support turn up and go passengers with access issues?”

Coun Paul Galley shared his concerns, saying: “This is a concern – Blackpool needs a good volume of traffic to justify investment in our station and seeing services reduced is the last thing we want.”

Avanti would not be drawn on whether the changes coming in this month will mean a reduction in services.

The  company says that from Sunday  May 18, it will be operating two services a day in each direction between London and Blackpool from Monday to Saturday.

On Sundays, it will operate two services – a late afternoon service from Crewe to Blackpool, and an early evening service from Blackpool to Crewe.

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “Our services are timed to best serve the vibrant and growing tourism sector in Blackpool and now offer faster journey times to the capital.

“In addition to our direct trains, there are regular services throughout the day, which connect into Avanti West Coast services at Preston.”

Avanti says its services offer a faster journey time between Blackpool and London than those that were in place before the timetable change because they travelled via the West Midlands.