A planned 'ghost train' service from Manchester to London has been given a last-minute reprieve and will now carry passengers after a significant policy reversal by the rail regulator.
Regulator's Controversial 'Firebreak' Plan Scrapped
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) had initially ruled that the popular 7am express train service from Manchester to London Euston would run without any passengers onboard from 15 December. This unusual measure was intended to create a operational 'firebreak' on the busy West Coast Main Line.
The logic behind the original decision was to allow the train to be moved more flexibly along the route. Regulators believed this would aid performance management and help with service recovery during unexpected disruptions or delays elsewhere on the network.
Swift Backlash Leads to Rapid Reversal
The proposal faced immediate and strong opposition from both the train operator and the government. Avanti West Coast, which runs the service, publicly disagreed with the plan. They were joined by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who also voiced her opposition to the ORR's initial ruling.
Facing this concerted pressure, the ORR performed a swift U-turn. It confirmed that the early morning service would continue to operate as normal with passengers on board, acknowledging the route's importance and popularity with commuters and travellers.
Reliability Concerns Remain Despite Reprieve
While reversing its decision, the Office of Rail and Road maintained its original concern that running the service with passengers could negatively impact the overall reliability and punctuality of other services on the line. The regulator's primary duty is to ensure the efficient operation of the network as a whole.
The episode highlights the ongoing tension between providing direct, popular services for passengers and managing the complex logistics of a high-capacity railway line. The reprieve for the 7am Manchester to London express will be welcomed by daily commuters and business travellers who rely on this key early morning connection.
