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Written question asked by Esther McVey (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 September 2026. It was answered by Keir Mather (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

West Coast Main Line: Timetables

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will reverse her approval from July for a reduction in the timetable of trains between Manchester and London.

Answer

Please see below Manchester services per timetable over this period.

Jun-24

Dec-24

May-25

Dec-25

May-26

Dec-26

May-27

Dec-27

SX / SO / SU by timetable period

London - Manchester

46 / 42 / 33

46 / 42 / 33

46 / 42 / 33

47 / 42 / 33

47 / 42 / 33

47 / 42 / 33

47 / 42 / 33

47 / 42 / 33

Manchester - London

47 / 44 / 33

48 / 44 / 33

49 / 44 / 33

49 / 44 / 33

49 / 44 / 33

49 / 44 / 33

49 / 44 / 33

49 / 44 / 33

Total

93 / 86 / 66

94 / 86 / 66

95 / 86 / 66

96 / 86 / 66

96 / 86 / 66

96 / 86 / 66

96 / 86 / 66

96 / 86 / 66

Weekly Total

617

622

627

632

632

632

632

632

SX = Weekdays

SO = Saturdays

SU = Sundays

Please note, that from Monday 20th July to Friday 28th August Avanti operated a Customer Led Timetable, designed to better match the timetable with reduced summer demand. As a result, 10 Manchester services every weekday were removed, reducing the weekly total to 582.

The Customer Led Timetable has now ended, so the full timetable is in operation to Manchester.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
26516
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Greater London Greater Manchester Timetables West Coast main line
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk