Who are we?

West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) is the Shadow Operator for HS2, designing new high-speed services, as well as reshaping existing Avanti West Coast intercity services.  Our goal is to maximise the benefits of the significant investment from the Department for Transport into the new High Speed 2 (HS2) railway, as well as the upgrades to the existing infrastructure on the West Coast Main Line.

Alongside FirstGroup and Trenitalia, we are working to design, develop and mobilise new high-speed service operations which will deliver more capacity, quicker journey times and a step-change in customer experience. With passengers for Birmingham, Liverpool, Scotland and Manchester set to move to new these services, we are reviewing how we will reshape existing Avanti West Coast services to unlock further improvements and capacity across the West Midlands, North West and Scotland.

By having a key partnership with HS2 Ltd, who are building the new railway, we will put our customers at the forefront of our planning and help shape the design of the future operation to deliver a world-class railway to our regions.

The first train service to use the new HS2 railway may be a while away, but there is a lot of work to do now! Together with HS2 Ltd, Hitachi Rail, Alstom and the Department for Transport we are advising on the design of the new train fleet and its interior; we are scoping the proposed customer experience on-board and at stations; and we are planning the future train service for the route and our existing regions.

We are excited about this once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver monumental improvements for our customers and shape the future of the wider rail industry.

To see more of what we are up to – follow us on LinkedIn.

Q) Is West Coast Partnership Development separate from Avanti West Coast?

A) Both West Coast Partnership Development and Avanti West Coast are part of the West Coast Partnership. The West Coast Partnership is a joint venture between FirstGroup (70%) and Trenitalia (30%) to run existing intercity services on the West Coast Mainline – Avanti West Coast; and future high speed services and beyond on the new HS2 railway.

Q) How are West Coast Partnership Development linked to HS2 Ltd?

A) West Coast Partnership Development is working in partnership with HS2 Ltd on the design, development and mobilisation of new high-speed services to use the infrastructure. For more information on our joint working – click here.

Q) How will new high-speed services differ from existing Avanti West Coast services?

A) Our new high-speed services will consist of brand-new trains, built by Hitachi and Alstom, which have been specifically designed to run on the new HS2 railway. They will use the new HS2 stations at London Euston, Old Oak Common, Birmingham Interchange and Birmingham Curzon Street; but also run on the existing West Coast Main Line north of Birmingham to Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Scotland.