Avanti West Coast has confirmed it will add extra services to its timetable each day so that mourners from Manchester can travel to London to pay their respects to HM Queen Elizabeth II.
The rail company – which has been responsible for operating the West Coast Main Line route from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston since December 2019 – has been met with widespread backlash and criticism from the public and local leaders alike as of late after confirming that it had taken the decision to slash its timetable “until further notice” and had temporarily suspended ticket sales.
The train operator said it would continue with with “a reduced service”.
Train frequencies between the capital and Manchester have been reduced to as few as one per hour, rather than the usual three.
Since the reduced timetable from Manchester to London came into operation, some passengers travelling on Avanti West Coast trains have been reporting scenes of chaos – including instances of “fights” over seat reservations.
Avanti West Coast adds extra services to London so mourners can pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II / Credit: Network Rail
Avanti has since apologised for the “enormous frustration and inconvenience”.
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And now, the rail operator has decided to add four extra services between 09:35 and 17:55 BST to the capital from Manchester, with four more then travelling in the opposite direction between 12:40 and 20:40, so that people can pay their respects to HM Queen Elizabeth II – who passed away at aged 96 on 8 September 2022.
We are saddened to have learned of the death of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and share the nation’s sorrow.
Extra train services will be running throughout the country, with a limited night service on some routes.
Avanti said there will be three extra trains each way on Friday between the same times, and it claimed the extra services will add 16,000 seats.
HM Queen Elizabeth II died aged 96 on 8 September 2022 / Credit: Adrian Harlen (via Crown Copywright)
Speaking on the decision to increase services, a spokesperson from Avanti West Coast said: “We want to ensure that everyone who wants to travel on our trains to pay their respects can do so, and have been working hard to see where we can put on additional services for the period of mourning.”
The company has still said that passengers should expect some delays from a reduced timetable as it is currently experiencing staff shortages.
Avanti West Coast is also yet to make a decision about extra services to London at the weekend or Monday when the State Funeral will take place, but said it was “examining closely what opportunities there are for additional services”.
Featured Image – Avanti West Coast
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Family pay tribute to ‘fun-loving’ son who died in Wythenshawe as man charged with murder
Emily Sergeant
The family of a man who died in Wythenshawe last week have now paid a touching tribute to him.
It comes after at around 11:35pm last Thursday (5 February), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of an incident on Southwick Road in the Northern Moor area of Wythenshawe, and when emergency services attended the scene, they discovered a man in his 20s had been ‘seriously injured’.
Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the man sadly at the scene.
The victim has since been formally identified as Drew McCormick, who was aged 29, and another man was also subsequently arrested.
19-year-old Lewis Morley, of Ryecroft Grove in Manchester, was charged with murder and has been remanded to next appear at Manchester Crown Square Court on Tuesday 10 March 2026.
A police investigation into the incident is now being run by GMP’s Major Incident Team (MIT) and enquiries are ongoing.
In the meantime, Drew’s family have paid tribute: “There are just not enough words to describe Drew and the impact he had on many lives. He was a fun-loving person that brought laughter and joy to the world with his big bright smile and loud laugh.
“Drew had the biggest heart and would do anything for those he loved. He loved his family deeply even more than TikTok.
“He has left a huge hole in our hearts, and our lives will never be the same. We love you Drew and will keep you in our hearts forever.”
With investigations ongoing, anyone who has any information or footage in relation to the incident that may assist GMP with its enquiries is urged to report them via the dedicated major incident portal here.
Featured Image – GMP
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Plans officially submitted for ‘vibrant’ new food hall in Wythenshawe
Emily Sergeant
Are you feeling hungry? Good, because a new food hall is on the horizon.
That’s right – plans to transform Wythenshawe Civic have taken another exciting leap forward this week, as Manchester City Council and placemaker Muse have submitted a planning application to bring a brand-new food hall to the town.
Set to be housed within the three units next to the former Peacocks store – which has now been demolished – the new food hall will become a ‘vibrant’ destination for independent and local food vendors to attract people with ‘delicious and diverse’ offerings.
Developers also hope the new food hall will keep the suburban Manchester town’s centre ‘bustling’ throughout the day and into the evening.
The announcement that the new food hall is in the works comes as part of the already-announced plans for Wythenshawe Civic – with work to soon begin on everything from the public realm, and outside space, to the vacant office space above the existing Iceland-store, which will also be transformed into modern new workspace to support local start-ups and bring new jobs into the town centre.
Developers also recently submitted three separate applications to create 422 new affordable homes for social rent across three locations in the town centre.
“Listening to local people over the last year and more, we know that Wythenshawe residents want more from their town centre – more things to do, opportunities to spend time in Civic and night time attractions that give the area a lift and attract visitors,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“This is the drive behind the Culture Hub. A place for local people with an interest in the arts to take part in creative activities, see a show or enjoy the cinema space – right in the heart of their community.
“This is another exciting chapter in the transformation of Wythenshawe Town Centre.”
Joel Chandler, who is the Senior Development Manager at Muse, added that developers are ‘moving at pace’ with plans to give the town centre the ‘regeneration it deserves’.
“The food hall will be a hive for a range of local outlets and will provide new spaces for the community to spend time in and give the town’s nighttime economy a major boost.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th September 2022 
