Avanti West Coast enhances connectivity on Liverpool route in new timetable
Avanti West Coast introduces more services between Liverpool and London as part of new December timetable.
- Highest ever level of services now operating on West Coast Main Line as part of Avanti West Coast’s December timetable increase
- New timetable introduces two trains per hour throughout most of the day between Liverpool and London
- Liverpool South Parkway set to welcome direct hourly service to and from London
Avanti West Coast has introduced its new December timetable with an increase to services on its Liverpool route.
Launched this week, the intercity operator’s new timetable is focused on enhancing connectivity to Liverpool, with customers travelling on this route now able to benefit from the option of two trains per hour throughout most of the day between Liverpool and London.
The timetable also provides a direct link to the capital for the wider Liverpool City Region through the introduction of Avanti West Coast services at Liverpool South Parkway station. On weekdays and Saturdays, a new hourly service will connect local communities to London in just over two hours on one of 170 trains that are scheduled to stop at the station per week.
In addition, the timetable uplift includes the launch of a weekday return service between Hartford and London, connecting east Cheshire to the capital in under two hours – benefitting those travelling for business with a morning southbound service departing at 08:10, and an evening return service departing at 18:43.
Building on the progress made in the previous timetable changes in May and September this year, the additional Avanti West Coast services equate to an increase of over 20,000 seats per week. This takes the total number of services to the highest ever level to operate on the West Coast Main Line – with a total of 2,083 now scheduled to run weekly.
The enhancement of services on the route between Liverpool and London has been made possible following the introduction of Avanti West Coast’s new Evero fleet – a £350m investment of 13 bi-mode (Class 805) and 10 electric (Class 807) trains.
The introduction of the calling point at Liverpool South Parkway adds additional connectivity for customers travelling on flights to one of over 60 destinations from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, with the station offering a shuttle bus to and from the airport every 10-20 minutes throughout the week. With larger luggage racks and more space for bags between seats on Avanti’s Class 807 fleet, customers choosing to connect to the airport via this route can expect a comfortable and smooth start to their trip.
Smaller regions across the West Coast Main Line will also notice an increase to direct services to and from London. The additional services added in the timetable between Liverpool and London will call at Tamworth and Lichfield Trent Valley, further building on the progress made in the operator’s September timetable uplift this year to enhance connectivity between these locations and the capital.
Andy Mellors, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering on our promise to increase our services between Liverpool and London. The introduction of services at Liverpool South Parkway station and the new direct link to the capital will add a huge benefit to the wider region.
“The uplift in services means that we are now running more services than ever across the West Coast Main Line. We’re continuing to grow our timetable in a measured and sustainable way – maintaining the standards our customers rightly deserve.”
Cllr Steve Foulkes, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “The introduction of these additional Avanti West Coast services between Liverpool and London is fantastic news for our city region.
“Additional transport links to the capital can only have a positive effect on our city region economy and the addition of an hourly stop at Liverpool South Parkway means more of our residents will enjoy improved connections to intercity routes and the great opportunities that can bring.
“We’re really excited to see the contribution these services will make to our plans for a more sustainable transport network and how they will help to connect communities across the country.”
ENDS
Contact Information
Lauren Haslam
Notes to editors
Notes to Editors
Main image: An Avanti West Coast Evero (Class 807) at Liverpool South Parkway station.
Monday to Friday additional services:
- 0707 Liverpool Lime Street – London Euston
- 1108 Liverpool Lime Street – London Euston
- 0807 London Euston - Liverpool Lime Street
- 1707 London Euston - Liverpool Lime Street (currently runs on a Friday)
- 1807 London Euston - Liverpool Lime Street
- 2007 London Euston - Liverpool Lime Street
- 1205 London Euston – Crewe
- 1529 Crewe – London Euston
Saturday additional services:
- 1008 Liverpool Lime Street – London Euston
- 1108 Liverpool Lime Street – London Euston
- 1208 Liverpool Lime Street – London Euston
- 1508 Liverpool Lime Street – London Euston
- 1608 Liverpool Lime Street – London Euston
- 0807 London Euston – Liverpool Lime Street
- 0907 London Euston – Liverpool Lime Street
- 1207 London Euston – Liverpool Lime Street
- 1307 London Euston – Liverpool Lime Street
- 1507 London Euston – Liverpool Lime Street
- 1807 London Euston – Liverpool Lime Street
Sunday additional services:
- 1508 Liverpool Lime Street – London Euston
- 1608 Liverpool Lime Street – London Euston
- 1806 London Euston - Liverpool Lime Street
Christmas engineering works
Network Rail are carrying out major upgrade work over the festive period, which can mean longer journey times and replacement buses.
This engineering work affects journeys to and from London Euston from 27 December to 4 January, as well as journeys between Scotland and the North West from 1 to 14 January.
As a result of the engineering works, some additional services added in December’s timetable uplift won’t be able to run until mid-January.
Between 27 December and 4 January, and on 11 January, there will be no Avanti West Coast services calling at Liverpool South Parkway station due to the amended timetable in place.
27 December – 4 January:
The West Coast Main Line is closed between Milton Keynes and Rugby due to major upgrade work. Between these dates, we will be operating one train per hour between Rugby and Liverpool Lime Street. This train will not call at Liverpool South Parkway.
5 – 10 January:
Normal service resumes on Liverpool route – two trains per hour between London and Liverpool with one train per hour in each direction calling at Liverpool South Parkway.
11 January:
The West Coast Main Line is closed between Milton Keynes and Rugby due to major upgrade work. On the above date, we will be operating one train per hour between Rugby and Liverpool Lime Street. This train will not call at Liverpool South Parkway.
A normal service resumes on the Liverpool route from 12 January onwards.
More information about our engineering works affecting the Christmas period can be found here: https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/christmas
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward. Avanti West Coast serves key UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow as well as North Wales.
We’re on a mission to be the transport of choice – connecting customers and communities along the West Coast. Our award-winning Pendolino refurbishment programme transformed the UK’s hardest working fleet with all 56 of the iconic trains providing best-in-class comfort.
Our Evero fleet, which offers more seats, improved comfort, and a substantial cut to carbon emissions, was introduced in June 2024 and is the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, serves routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West.
We want to make a positive difference to the people and places we serve – helping to drive economic growth, green travel, and break down barriers. Our efforts to contribute to society and enable people to benefit from the opportunities rail offers through purpose-led initiatives including Feel Good Field Trips and award-winning female driver recruitment campaign has seen us create over £1billion in social value impact.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333