Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to improve services delivered by Avanti West Coast from Birmingham International Station.

The Department continues to closely monitor Avanti West Coast’s (AWC’s) delivery of its timetable recovery plan. The plan includes a step-up in service frequency between Birmingham International and London Euston to two trains per hour from 12 December, and a third train in targeted hours throughout the day.

Both the Office of Rail and Road and Network Rail have reviewed AWC’s plan and are supportive of the proposition, noting its full and successful delivery requires agreement with unions. The Department will continue to hold AWC to account for matters within its control.

The Birmingham International to London Euston route is also served by West Midlands Trains. From 12 December there will be at a combined service of at least 4 trains per hour each way for most of the day, with up to 5 trains per hour at peak times.