CONGESTION on trains from London Euston to Warrington is set to ease after Virgin Trains scrapped afternoon peak-ticket restrictions on Fridays.

Thousands of people will now be able to start the weekend earlier without spending more for a peak ticket.

As of today, Friday, restrictions will be permanently removed following a 13-week trial which has helped to dramatically reduce crowding on key evening services.

During the trial, the popular 7pm London Euston to Manchester service saw the average maximum number of passengers fall by 61 per cent.

Normally this would be the first service available for passengers with off-peak tickets.

Sarah Copley, commercial director at Virgin Trains said: "Rather than everyone waiting for the first off-peak train on Friday evening, people can now travel whenever is convenient for them.

"This change means we’ve been able to reduce congestion, while helping people save money and make an earlier start to their weekends."

While the cheapest tickets are always available in advance, those who decide to travel on the spur of the moment can now secure a cheaper off-peak ticket any time after 9.30am on a Friday, instead of waiting until 7pm.

A customer arriving at Euston Station at 4pm and buying a ticket for the next train to Manchester will see their fare reduced by £125.55.

TravelWatch NorthWest (TWNW), the independent community interest company representing users of all forms of public transport in the north west, welcomed the recent announcement by Virgin Trains.

TWNW chairman, Chris Dale, said: "I have witnessed horrendous scenes at Euston after 7pm when the restriction ended and am pleased that common sense has at last prevailed."