Avanti West Coast must ‘drastically improve’ after securing six-month extension

Rail firm has been criticised after reducing train services and releasing tickets only a few days in advance

Avanti West Coast has been told it must drastically improve services" as the government awarded the operator of the London to Glasgow line a six-month extension to its contract.

The government's controversial decision means the rail company, which runs trains between London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, will be able to continue running services until next April. The current contract had been due to expire on 16 October.