PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has savaged Avanti West Coast's services, many of which run through Warrington Bank Quay station.

Mr Sunak made his disparaging comments against the train service operator at today's session of Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Wednesday, November 30.

The PM made his remarks in response to a question raised by former Tory minister Esther McVey.

Ms McVey told Mr Sunak about the increasing time it takes for trains from her constituency to reach London - trains which are run by Avanti West Coast.

Mr Sunak condemned the 'unacceptable deterioration of Avanti's service.'

All trains running through Warrington Bank Quay to London are run by Avanti West Coast.

The same is said for return trains from London, which pass through Bank Quay heading for Glasgow Central.

During PMQs, Ms McVey said: "You’d be very lucking if you got a direct train and the journey time is often double, and that’s not restricted to strike days, that’s day in day out on Avanti trains."

She then asked what the Government is 'going to do to sort this out' and 'get the west coast service back to what it used to be.

The Prime Minister responded saying: "My right honourable friend is absolutely right about the unacceptable deterioration in the quality of Avanti’s service.

“The Transport Secretary is rightly monitoring and holding them to account.”

Warrington Guardian: Many Avanti services run through Warrington Bank QuayMany Avanti services run through Warrington Bank Quay (Image: Newsquest)

This comes as pressure mounts on train service operators in the lead-up to Christmas, as the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is set to hold more strikes, further disrupting railway services.

As with previous strikes, it is expected this will dramatically reduce the number of Avanti West Coast services running through Warrington Bank Quay station, and may even lead to the temporary closure of smaller stations such as Birchwood.

Thousands of trains have been cancelled across the region in recent weeks, with TransPennine Express, Avanti and Northern all affected by industrial action.

One striker in the summer at Warrington Bank Quay said: "We shouldn't be in 2022 where you're expected to work five hours extra per week, for less money and less pension."