The Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 24 September 2026 to discuss updates on Avanti West Coast rail services and the post-PFI street lighting contract model. The committee also reviewed progress on the Staffordshire Roadmap to a Better Network and its future work programme.

Avanti West Coast Rail Services Update

Mark Osborne, Regional Growth Manager at Avanti West Coast, presented an update on rail services in Staffordshire. He highlighted significant improvements since 2019, including an increase in direct destinations from Stafford from five to over 20, with new services to Manchester, Chester, North Wales, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Tamworth and Lichfield Trent Valley stations now benefit from almost hourly services to London Euston.

Performance has been impacted by various incidents, including HGV bridge strikes, livestock on the line, and extreme weather, which caused significant delays and cancellations. Avanti West Coast, in collaboration with Network Rail, is working to improve reliability through timetable adjustments and targeted actions to address key causes of delay, such as infrastructure issues and operational pinch points.

Committee members welcomed the improved connectivity and investment in trains and station facilities, while also raising concerns about cancellation rates and the impact of delays. Discussions also covered trespass on railway lines, with assurances that Network Rail, Avanti West Coast, and British Transport Police are collaborating on prevention and response. Capacity constraints on the West Coast Main Line and future government investment needs were also discussed.

Avanti West Coast reported that passenger growth is recovering to pre-COVID levels, with opportunities to attract more passengers from road to rail. The company also highlighted its economic, social, and environmental benefits, estimating that for every £1 invested in its services, £5.10 in wider benefits are generated.

The committee acknowledged the collaborative work between Avanti West Coast, Staffordshire County Council, local businesses, and tourism partners to support rail use within the county and encouraged the continuation of this approach to further improve rail connectivity, passenger experience, and economic opportunities.

Post-PFI Street Lighting Contract Model

The committee reviewed proposals for a successor service to the current 25-year Street Lighting PFI contract, which expires in May 2028. The current contract cannot be extended, necessitating the procurement of a new service to maintain approximately 108,000 street lighting and illuminated highway assets.

Preparatory work, including expiry readiness reviews and an options appraisal, has been completed. The council's readiness rating has improved to amber-green, with no major non-conformances identified. Seven delivery options were assessed, with a single external contractor model, jointly procured with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, currently considered the most deliverable. This model is proposed for an initial four-year term with an optional four-year extension.

Key risks identified include service continuity, asset handback and condition, affordability, data quality, internal capacity, procurement, market appetite, and workforce implications. Affordability remains a key consideration, with a whole-life financial model to be developed.

The committee supported the continued development of a joint Outline Business Case, procurement strategy, and transition plan. The committee's comments would be reported to Cabinet for consideration before any final procurement decision.

Staffordshire Roadmap to a Better Network – Performance Update

An update was provided on the Staffordshire Roadmap for a Better Network, a comprehensive highways improvement programme supported by £72 million of capital investment. Programme delivery is on track, with over 26,000 potholes repaired since April 2026. The Capital Maintenance Programme is 100% on track, and the Work Stack Reduction Project is actively addressing Category 3 defects.

Early validated repair failures have been very low, although officers cautioned that the KPI framework and audit process are still developing and will be tested further during autumn and winter conditions. The committee welcomed the availability of more detailed data and requested clearer trend information, including year-on-year comparisons, and further details on the balance between reactive and proactive maintenance.

Discussions also covered temporary versus permanent repairs, the impact of different repair methods like velocity patching and screeding, and public access to performance information. Members raised concerns about footway condition and investment, with officers explaining that prioritisation is based on risk, including location and user vulnerability. Assurance was sought on depot consistency and local prioritisation, with confirmation that local depots are now more involved in planning and prioritisation.

The committee agreed that future reports should include clearer information on backlog reduction targets, measurable progress, and metrics contrasting reactive versus proactive maintenance.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed its future work programme, noting that an update from a recent site visit would be included in the next report. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 22 October 2026.

The committee resolved to exclude the public from the next item on the agenda, the Staffordshire Bus Network Review, due to the likely disclosure of exempt information. The recommendations within the Bus Network Review report were agreed.