Rail service between North Wales and London branded “a complete mess”

A North Wales MS has criticised the deteriorating rail service connecting the region to London, labelling it the worst-performing route in the country.

Speaking during a session in the Senedd, Sam Rowlands, Conservative MS highlighted the significant reduction in daily trains and the impact on both local businesses and residents.

“The current service from North Wales down to London is a complete mess,” Mr Rowlands stated.

“Only a couple of years ago, there were 14 trains a day moving between London and North Wales; that’s now down to five. And on top of that, one in five of those remaining services are cancelled.”

The North Wales to London rail link, primarily operated by Avanti West Coast, has come under heavy criticism for its poor performance.

According to Rowlands, the reduction in service is having a “massive impact” on businesses and people’s livelihoods throughout the region.

His remarks come as frustration grows among local communities that rely on the service for commuting and tourism.

Rowlands directed his concerns to Welsh Transport Minister, Ken Skates, asking what steps the government was taking to address the issue.

In response, Ken Skates agreed that the performance of Avanti West Coast was “unacceptable” and acknowledged the need for improvement.

However, specific details on what action might be taken to improve the line remain unclear.

Mr Rowlands also expressed his disappointment with the failure to follow through on proposed investment in North Wales’ railway infrastructure.

He noted that while plans for five daily trains from Wrexham to London are on the table, the wider rail network in the region has been neglected.

“It is an absolute necessity for the largest conurbation in North Wales to have that direct link down to London,” he said.

The Conservative MS criticised the new Labour Government for not committing to the previous administration’s planned investments in the North Wales mainline.

He stressed that improving rail services is crucial not only for residents but also for boosting tourism and supporting the region’s economy.

“As the city [Wrexham] continues to attract visitors from far and wide, it really is essential that this sort of public transport is available,” Mr Rowlands said.

“With the new Labour Government failing to commit to the last Conservative Government’s planned investment in the North Wales mainline, it is absolutely vital that everything possible is done to improve rail services for the people in my region.”

Calls for better rail infrastructure are growing louder in North Wales, particularly as the region seeks to capitalise on its increasing prominence as a tourist destination.

Last month Ken Skates, announced details of safety upgrades and improvements to rail services in the region as part of a broader Wales wide £800 million investment by Transport for Wales (TfW).

The funding will focus on modernising signalling systems, upgrading level crossings, and increasing capacity on key routes to benefit commuters and boost regional connectivity.

In response to Mr Rowlands, Mr Skates said: “We’ve had numerous discussions since he was elected to the Senedd about rail services, not just across north Wales, but from north Wales to London, and we are in agreement that the performance of Avanti West Coast is unacceptable.

“I’ve met with Avanti and expressed that view. I’ve also met with the new UK rail Minister, Lord Hendy, and impressed upon him the need to make sure that we have a role as a Welsh Government in overseeing the future public operator of this important link between north Wales and London, because as things stand, Welsh Government does not have any formal role in specifying or managing or holding to account the operator.

“I think the model that’s been operating in Britain for far too long has failed passengers day in, day out, and that’s why I very much welcome the UK Government’s approach to publicly owned passenger rail, and I look forward to working in the future with Ministers at Westminster to pursue all opportunities, including, potentially, open access.”