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West Coast services set to be nationalised.

Avanti West Coast will move into public ownership from March next year.

The company runs fast intercity trains linking London with north-west England, North Wales and Scotland.

Years of late-running, cancelled and overcrowded services has let passengers down.

This is part of a wider government plan to improve rail infrastructure and passenger experience.

In an effort reduce spending, Avanti removed about 38 weekday services a day for six weeks earlier in 2026. This was equal to one in seven on its busiest routes.

The company expected little disruption and no fall in revenue.

Avanti is a joint venture between FirstGroup, which owns 70%, and Italian state operator Trenitalia, which owns 30%.

Since contracts were introduced in March 2020, the finances of train operators have depended heavily on the Department for Transport (DfT), and all such services are now being moved from the private sector to the public sector.

Great Western Railway follows in December, while Wales and Scotland already run their rail services publicly.