NEW figures have shown that Avanti West Coast have cancelled the highest percentage of trains amongst any UK train provider in the year until November 12.

Avanti West Coast, which runs services through Cumbria to Scotland and London, cancelled eight per cent of their services this year compared with the national average of 3.8 per cent.

TransPennine Express, which also runs services in Cumbria and the North West, was the third worst performing rail operator, with 5.8 per cent of their services cancelled.

The figures are all based around on-the-day cancellations and do not take into account pre-arranged strike timetables.

A spokesperson for Avanti said: “We are sorry for the enormous amount of frustration and inconvenience this has caused and are grateful for the patience our passengers have shown.

“Over the last few months, our sole focus has been to do everything we can to return to a more resilient operation which delivers more services for our customers and communities.

“Crucially, the new timetable is based on a robust and sustainable roster for our people without reliance on overtime and has been achieved by working with our people and the unions.

“It provides a better working pattern for staff and our customers will benefit from more trains, greater connectivity and tickets on sale much earlier.”

Avanti has come under fire from politicians and the public alike after the government renewed their contract for six months but said the company must 'drastically improve' in order to have it extended further.

MP’s from across the region have slammed Avanti, with Penrith and the Border MP, Neil Hudson saying: “Travelling between Cumbria and Westminster every week to represent my constituents in Parliament, I know just how poorly the Avanti West Coast service is faring.

“I know first-hand how frustrating and unpredictable this commute from Cumbria to London is and barely a week goes by without me hearing from fellow Cumbrians who have missed out on seeing family members, going to events or attending appointments.

"Frankly it is not good enough and something has to change.”

The rail network has been under pressure since the end of the pandemic and despite passenger numbers down 20 per cent since 2019 cancellations are at their highest on record.

There is hope however that a new timetable will lessen the need for drivers’ volunteering for overtime making a more reliable service going ahead into the new year.

READ MORE: £100 million plan to connect thousands of rural premises in Cumbria