Latest Rail News

04.09.12

WCML deal ‘remains live’ following legal challenge

The Government has officially delayed the signing of the West Coast Main Line with FirstGroup, following a legal challenge launched last week by Virgin Rail.

The Opposition has urged the Government to delay the sign-off so that ministers can scrutinise the contract.

Virgin labelled FirstGroup’s bid ‘undeliverable’ and has called for a judicial review of the deal.

In a written ministerial statement ex-transport minister Theresa Villiers said: “As a result of a legal challenge, which the Government intends to defend robustly, we have not yet signed the contract with First West Coast, and consequently the competition remains live.”

But she insisted “the commitments in First West Coast’s bid represent significant improvements for passengers and will provide a good return for the taxpayer.”

The union RMT has called for full publication of both bids.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “We want the hard facts and the full detail behind this shambles and it is clear that the Government are terrified of allowing a proper scrutiny of the financial structuring of the First bid because it would simply not stand up to any forensic examination.

“Department of Transport officials were mugged off by GNER and National Express on the East Coast only to see the promises collapse into rubble – they are now engaged in a full blown action replay on the West Coast.”

Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

related

Rail industry Focus

View all News

Comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >

Most Read

'the sleepers' blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

Interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he would not rule out his organisation issuing future r... more >
Advancing the rail industry with management degree apprenticeships

08/05/2019Advancing the rail industry with management degree apprenticeships

In answering the pressing questions of how current and future generations of managers can provide solutions to high-profile infrastructure projects across the UK, Pearson Business School, part of... more >