Mayor slams rail operator Avanti

Andy Burnham questions if West Coast service is 'acceptable'

- JOSEPH TIMAN

ANDY Burnham has accused Avanti West Coast of failing to fix issues with the 'most important railway line in the country! The Greater Manchester mayor urged the rail operator's boss Andy Mellors to address the 'poor' culture at the organisation in a meeting this week.

He accused Avanti of failing to inform Transport for Greater Manchester of cancellations to services last weekend affecting fans travelling to the Etihad.

The Labour mayor also quizzed Mr Mellors about the controversial presentation slide which, according to The Guardian, was entitled 'Roll up, roll-up get your free money here!' referring to how the firm was supported by taxpayers' money.

Mr Mellors said Avanti has been 'transparent' about the challenges it has faced over the last 18 months and is taking action to fix 'deep-seated' issues.

But Mr Burnham was not satisfied with the responses he received, arguing that Avanti had not improved as much as Mr Mellors claimed.