Government should delay signing West Coast rail franchise contract
23 August 2012
The Chair of the Transport Committee wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport asking her to hold off signing the final contract documents for the West Coast rail franchise.
- Letter to Secretary of State for Transport
- Government announcement on award of franchise
- Transport Committee
Chair's comments
Louise Ellman said:
“The Government's decision to award the West Coast rail franchise to First West Coast Ltd has raised a number of concerns. I want the Transport Committee to have the opportunity to explore these issues and will be consulting my colleagues shortly. I have therefore written to Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Transport, asking her to delay signing the final contract papers – planned for 28 August.”
Mrs Ellman added:
“This franchise will affect millions of passengers and last for up to 15 years. A great deal of public and private money is at stake. I have no fixed view on the matter and no preference for any of the bidders. My wish is simply to bring greater transparency to the process.”
Further information:
Specific Committee Information: transcom@parliament.uk 020 7219 6263/3266
Media Enquiries: Alex Paterson, 020 7219 1589, 07917 488 488, patersona@parliament.uk
Committee Website: www.parliament.uk/transcom
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