A new documentary airing this week on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds delves into the problematic ‘Euston dash’ for the first off-peak train from London to Manchester, highlighting the struggles of the UK’s inter-city rail services.
Presenter Johnny I’Anson, who frequently commutes between the North and the capital, captures the reflections of passengers on the Avanti West Coast London to Manchester service. This route is notorious for its substandard performance, with approximately one in fifteen trains being cancelled.
Throughout the documentary, I’Anson interacts with regular travellers to uncover the reasons behind frequent cancellations and delays. He explores potential solutions that could enhance the travel experience for the millions who rely on this service annually. Despite recent improvements, the service continues to be the country’s least punctual operator.
Earlier this year, board members at Transport for the North voted in favour of terminating Avanti’s contract for this route at the earliest opportunity. Clare Hayward, chair of the Northern Powerhouse 11, features in the documentary and estimates that an efficient rail service could contribute an additional £118 billion to the Northern economy. Notably, the government extended Avanti’s contract for another nine years last year.
Off-Peak Performance sheds light on the critical issues plaguing the London to Manchester train route, offering insights into the causes and potential remedies for its improvement.