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West Coast Main Line deal will go ahead, Greening says West Coast Main Line deal will go ahead, Greening says
(about 1 hour later)
Transport Secretary Justine Greening has told the BBC there will not be a delay in signing a new West Coast Main Line contract with FirstGroup.Transport Secretary Justine Greening has told the BBC there will not be a delay in signing a new West Coast Main Line contract with FirstGroup.
Mrs Greening said the government would "push on" with the 13-year contract, which was a "good deal for taxpayers".Mrs Greening said the government would "push on" with the 13-year contract, which was a "good deal for taxpayers".
There has been pressure from Virgin Rail, which currently runs the line, and from Labour, to delay the decision until Parliament returns.There has been pressure from Virgin Rail, which currently runs the line, and from Labour, to delay the decision until Parliament returns.
The chairwoman of the Transport Select Committee has also called for a delay.The chairwoman of the Transport Select Committee has also called for a delay.
The contract signing could happen on Wednesday.The contract signing could happen on Wednesday.
FirstGroup has said it would bring in key improvements for passengers, but critics fear it would not be able to afford the £5.5bn it was paying for the franchise.FirstGroup has said it would bring in key improvements for passengers, but critics fear it would not be able to afford the £5.5bn it was paying for the franchise.
Virgin's Sir Richard Branson had offered to run the service "for free" while a review was carried out.Virgin's Sir Richard Branson had offered to run the service "for free" while a review was carried out.
But Mrs Greening told BBC Breakfast that all bidders had "bought into" the "fair and well-established process". She claimed that if Virgin had won the bid it would have "been perfectly happy with the process".But Mrs Greening told BBC Breakfast that all bidders had "bought into" the "fair and well-established process". She claimed that if Virgin had won the bid it would have "been perfectly happy with the process".
The Transport Secretary said the FirstGroup deal would provide more seats, more capacity and new services to places like Telford and Shrewsbury.The Transport Secretary said the FirstGroup deal would provide more seats, more capacity and new services to places like Telford and Shrewsbury.
"If we want to move away from above inflation fares, when it comes to franchising lucrative lines we've got to get better deal for taxpayer, and that's what we've done," she said. "If we want to move away from above-inflation fares, when it comes to franchising lucrative lines we've got to get a better deal for taxpayer, and that's what we've done," she said.
Mrs Greening added that the process had taken 15 months, and Virgin had raised its concerns "right at the end".Mrs Greening added that the process had taken 15 months, and Virgin had raised its concerns "right at the end".
Service improvementsService improvements
Aberdeen-based FirstGroup already operates a number of rail routes, including Great Western and ScotRail.Aberdeen-based FirstGroup already operates a number of rail routes, including Great Western and ScotRail.
The company, under the name First West Coast Limited, will take over the franchise from 9 December and is due to operate the service until 2026.The company, under the name First West Coast Limited, will take over the franchise from 9 December and is due to operate the service until 2026.
The West Coast Main Line route serves 31 million passengers travelling between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the central belt of Scotland.The West Coast Main Line route serves 31 million passengers travelling between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the central belt of Scotland.
Virgin has run the franchise since 1997, during which time passenger numbers doubled.Virgin has run the franchise since 1997, during which time passenger numbers doubled.
FirstGroup has promised to cut standard fares by 15%, have more frequent trains and more seats, and introduce better wi-fi and food.FirstGroup has promised to cut standard fares by 15%, have more frequent trains and more seats, and introduce better wi-fi and food.
The firm said it would introduce 11 new 125mph six-car electric trains on the Birmingham to Glasgow route and provide more direct services between destinations.The firm said it would introduce 11 new 125mph six-car electric trains on the Birmingham to Glasgow route and provide more direct services between destinations.
PetitionPetition
More than 100,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the decision to be reconsidered. More than 150,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the decision to be reconsidered.
Labour's Maria Eagle, the shadow transport secretary, has urged the government to put the contract on hold until MPs return from summer recess and have a chance to consider the deal.Labour's Maria Eagle, the shadow transport secretary, has urged the government to put the contract on hold until MPs return from summer recess and have a chance to consider the deal.
And Labour's Louise Ellman, who chairs the House of Commons transport committee, has written to Ms Greening asking her to delay signing the contract.And Labour's Louise Ellman, who chairs the House of Commons transport committee, has written to Ms Greening asking her to delay signing the contract.
On Sunday, Sir Richard said that if reviewing the decision meant the December deadline had to be postponed, his company and Stagecoach would be willing to continue operating the railway lines while donating any profits to charity.On Sunday, Sir Richard said that if reviewing the decision meant the December deadline had to be postponed, his company and Stagecoach would be willing to continue operating the railway lines while donating any profits to charity.
Sir Richard told the BBC that he wanted a proper examination of the facts.Sir Richard told the BBC that he wanted a proper examination of the facts.
"If the figures stack up, we'll bow out gracefully... but what should not happen is, the Department for Transport shouldn't rush through, get this signed and keep all these facts under cover," he said."If the figures stack up, we'll bow out gracefully... but what should not happen is, the Department for Transport shouldn't rush through, get this signed and keep all these facts under cover," he said.