Avanti to continue running the West Coast Rail network

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Agreement with the Department for Transport (DfT) to extend arrangements for the West Coast Partnership (WCP) rail contract.


New rail contract will now run until 15 October 2023


Andy Mellors appointed as new Managing Director of Avanti West Coast


Discussions ongoing with DfT over long term National Rail Contract for WCP


FirstGroup plc today announces that it has agreed with the Department for Transport (DfT) to extend the current arrangements for the West Coast Partnership (WCP) rail contract.

The current arrangements for WCP were previously set to expire on 31 March 2023 and will now run until 15 October 2023 under broadly the same terms and conditions. The WCP rail contract comprises operation of Avanti West Coast and West Coast Partnership Development, which acts as the shadow operator to the HS2 programme. Discussions are ongoing with DfT regarding the longer-term National Rail Contract for WCP.

FirstGroup also announces that Andy Mellors has been appointed Managing Director of Avanti West Coast with immediate effect. Andy has previously held senior roles at Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and most recently as Managing Director of FirstGroup’s non-franchised rail businesses, and takes over from Steve Montgomery, First Rail Managing Director who has been acting Avanti Managing Director since September 2022.

Commenting, Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer said:  "We are working closely with government and our partners across the industry to deliver a successful railway for our customers and communities.

“Performance at Avanti is steadily improving and since the introduction of the new timetable in mid-December, the number of services operated has increased by more than 40% compared to last summer, with more seats and better frequencies. Today’s agreement allows our team to continue their focus on delivering their robust plans to continue enhancing services for our customers, including further progress on our train upgrade and refurbishment programme.”