AN increased rail service from North Wales to London has been applauded.

Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has welcomed the news that, from September, there will be an increase in the number of direct Avanti West Coast services between North Wales and London to six-a-day each way.

The service was scaled back due to the pandemic, but with all restrictions now lifted, Dr Davies has been calling for train services to and from North Wales to return to pre-pandemic levels. 

Last month, he welcomed the announcement by Transport for Wales (TfW) that the new service pattern, introduced on May 22, would "be the same as immediately pre-pandemic" and that "the overall capacity will improve as a result of the introduction of the mark IV fleet (later this year)".

However, the MP expressed concern that Avanti West Coast services remain less frequent than before the pandemic and in recent weeks, he has been liaising with them to ensure that their services are increased.

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He is therefore pleased to have now received correspondence stating that this will be happening from September 12, when they will be running six direct trains each day in either direction between North Wales and Euston Station. 

Dr Davies said: "Rail-users have been greatly inconvenienced by the continued reduced services since Covid restrictions were lifted, so will be extremely pleased to see normal services resume. 

"I appreciate the operational challenges that Avanti West Coast, like other rail providers, continue to experience due to the residual impact of Covid-19, but it is crucial that after two years of disruption, passengers are provided with a convenient and rapid service which they can rely on."