Andy Burnham has asked for first class train services to be “suspended” in talks with Avani West Coast over its recent timetable downgrade.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester met with Avanti West Coast’s senior management team yesterday, alongside the Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Luthfur Rahman, and Transport Commissioner, Vernon Everitt, to express their “deep unhappiness” after the train operator announced last week that it would be running on a reduced timetable until further notice.
The company has temporarily suspended ticket sales and slashed services, in a move that has already been significantly affecting trains between London and Manchester.
Train frequencies between the capital and Manchester have been reduced to as few as one per hour, rather than the usual three – with Avanti West Coast saying it’s because of staff shortages caused by “unofficial strike action”.
Now, the Mayor has confirmed that he sat down with leaders at Avanti West Coast yesterday and “made clear to them in no uncertain terms our deep unhappiness at the way in which our city-region has been treated.”
He said in an official statement issued following the meeting: “The severe reduction of services at this time of year is seriously detrimental to our economy [and] Avanti’s decision to take this action without any prior consultation or even notification shows a lack of respect for our city-region and its people, businesses and visitors.
“We have asked Avanti to produce a recovery plan that helps passengers in the short-term, but which also commits to providing more trains per hour between Greater Manchester and London as quickly as possible.”
Mr Burnham also confirmed that he has asked Avanti to “consider the declassification of trains” and “suspend first class restrictions” in the immediate term.
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He said this will “make more seats available on the booking system at an affordable price”.
Andy Burnham has asked for first class train services to be “suspended” in talks with Avani West Coast / Credit: Avanti West Coast
On top of that, the Mayor also asked for “clearer communications with customers” about how and when to purchase tickets, an end to the “inflammatory language” – which he said is damaging workforce relations – and, on a broader level, a timetable to return to the previous levels of service as soon “as possible”, as well as “a firm commitment that we will not find ourselves in such a position ever again”.
Mr Burnham has also threatened to ask the government to strip Avanti West Coast of its contract if the plan it produces is not deemed acceptable.
He concluded in his statement: “When we receive Avanti’s plan, we will consider whether it is acceptable for our residents and businesses and, if it isn’t, we made it clear to the company that we will ask the new Prime Minister to strip them of this contract.”
Historic hidden library in Manchester city centre reveals £11m transformation plans
Emily Sergeant
Ambitious plans to transform one of Manchester’s greatest historical hidden gems have been announced.
Founded all the way back in 1806, The Portico Library – which is hidden in plain sight on Mosley Street, in the heart of the city centre – played a central role in Manchester’s rise as the world’s first modern city, and since then, it has been serving as a window into the past and a providing a place of inspiration for anyone who needs it.
But now, these new transformation plans, titled The Reunited Project, will ensure the building not only survives, but also thrives as the UK’s most sustainable historic library for generations to come.
The Portico Library‘s transformational scheme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and will look to ‘reunite’ the historic building’s three floors for the first time in over a century, creating a fully-accessible and sustainable cultural library.
Crucially, plans will see a step-free entrance and lift installed to make the library accessible to all.
There’ll also be new exhibition and event spaces introduced as part of the scheme to explore the stories of Manchester’s communities and the city’s heritage.
There will a Northern Bookshop, showcasing regional and emerging writers, and independent publishers, as well as a creative Portico Kitchen, which will celebrate the city’s food culture, writing, and history.
A place for school groups, families, and all people to explore Portico’s collection and experiment creatively also forms part of the plans.
“Portico Reunited is about more than restoring a building,” explained Dr Thom Keep, who is a Librarian & the Chief Executive of the Portico Library, after the transformation plans were submitted to Manchester City Council.
“It’s about opening doors to stories, ideas, heritage and communities across Greater Manchester.
“These plans secure Portico’s future, unlocking the power of heritage to inspire Manchester’s visitors and residents to explore, share, and celebrate their stories and the city’s literary and global heritage.”
If the plans are approved by the Council, The Portico Library will close for around 18 months for construction, during which it will continue to engage the public through its ‘Portigo !’ pop-up programme.
Featured Image – Portico Library
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Government announces homebuying overhaul to fix country’s ‘broken’ housing system
Emily Sergeant
The Government has announced what it’s calling the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history.
In a bid to ‘rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership for thousands nationwide, the Government has today (Monday 6 October) unveiled proposals that it says will speed up the long-drawn out and costly process of buying a home by four weeks.
The Housing Secretary says this will not only save people money, but unnecessary stress too.
The proposed new plans would see sellers and estate agents required to provide buyers with ‘vital’ information about a property upfront – including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and chains of people waiting to move.
It’s hoped this will help end any last-minute chain collapses and ultimately give greater confidence to first-time buyers when they’re making one of life’s most important decisions.
The Government has announced plans to fix the country’s ‘broken’ housing system / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Binding contracts could also be introduced to stop people walking away from agreements after buyers painstakingly spend months in negotiations to hopefully halve the number of failed transactions.
The new reforms are also proposing that prospective buyers are provided with side-by-side information on estate agents and conveyancers, including their track record and expertise, alongside new mandatory qualifications and Code of Practice to drive up standards and work to rebuild trust in the industry.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to Twitter this morning to address the proposed new homebuying overhaul, commenting: “I promised that my Government would fix the broken housing system.
“Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives. That’s national renewal.”
I promised that my government would fix the broken housing system.
Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives.
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2022 
