Train services between Liverpool and London ground to a halt recently, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated. The reason? The train drivers’ union, Aslef, advised its members not to walk on snow-covered walkways at Liverpool’s Edge Hill depot. Safety was the stated concern, but the situation raises deeper questions about the relationship between the union and the operator, Avanti West Coast, and whether passengers are being left out in the cold—literally and figuratively.
The Snowball Effect
The disruption came just months after train drivers received a 15% pay rise from the Labour government, bringing their salaries to nearly £70,000 a year. While a snow-covered walkway might seem like a minor issue, union health and safety representatives deemed it unsafe for drivers to access their trains until the paths were cleared. The result? According to Network Rail, 10 trains were delayed, leading to 14 service cancellations. Thousands of passengers were affected, many of whom may now claim compensation under Delay Repay.
An Aslef spokesperson defended the decision, stating: “The walkways were covered in snow and ice, making them unsafe to use. Once the paths were cleared, drivers accessed their trains and resumed work. This is basic safety.” The union dismissed criticism of overreach and pointed the finger at Avanti for failing to address the snow in the first place.
Safety vs. Service: Are Passengers Paying the Price?
While safety is undoubtedly critical, the situation raises questions about priorities. Couldn’t a few shovelfuls of grit and salt have resolved the issue quickly? Was it truly about safety, or was something more political at play?
Passengers certainly weren’t the priority. Many could have been relying on their journey for essential commitments—caring for an elderly relative, attending medical appointments, or commuting to work. Instead, they were left scrambling for alternatives, some potentially more dangerous, such as traveling by road in poor weather conditions.
Avanti’s Troubled Track Record
This incident is just the latest in a long line of issues for Avanti West Coast, a company that hasn’t exactly earned glowing reviews from its passengers.
According to Avanti’s own website, 40% of passengers surveyed in a Transport Focus Rail User Survey (covering the three months to March 2024) were dissatisfied with the punctuality and reliability of services. Over the same year, Avanti received 50,000 complaints—punctuality and reliability were among the top grievances.
The operator’s performance figures are equally grim. Avanti is regularly one of the worst-performing train operator in the UK, with nearly 60% of its trains running late—double the national average. Cancellation rates are similarly twice the national average, according to the Office of Rail and Road. Despite this, legal advice to the Department for Transport concluded that Avanti was not in breach of its performance obligations.
Who’s Really Accountable?
This latest disruption highlights a bigger issue: a lack of accountability. While Aslef and Avanti play the blame game, passengers are left dealing with the fallout. It’s not unreasonable to expect trains to run on time—it’s the most basic requirement of any rail service. Yet, both the union and the operator seem more focused on their own agendas than on the needs of their customers.
The Bigger Picture
So, was the snow incident a genuine safety concern or a symptom of deeper tensions? Either way, it’s clear that the interests of passengers were overlooked. Both Aslef and Avanti need to remember who they ultimately serve. Safety is non-negotiable, but so is reliability. It’s time for both parties to stop pointing fingers and start putting passengers first. Because when the trains stop running, it’s not just the railways that grind to a halt—it’s people’s lives.