Celebrities call for U-turn on West Coast rail decision

Reporter

Thursday 23 August 2012

CELEBRITIES have backed a campaign to force the UK Government to reverse its decision to bring in FirstGroup to run the West Coast train service between Glasgow and London.

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Jody Harrison

The Apprentice presenter Lord Sugar, chef Jamie Oliver and pop star Ronan Keating are among those supporting an e-petition to try to force a House of Commons debate.

They have all signed the petition on the UK Government website, which calls for Virgin Trains to retain its role as operator after the company lost in a bid to keep the franchise.

Last week, the Government said Virgin, which has operated West Coast since 1997, would be replaced by Aberdeen-based FirstGroup.The firm is to run a new 13-year West Coast franchise, which is due to start in December.However, more than 32,000 people have now given their backing to the petition.If more than 100,000 signatures are reached, MPs may decide to debate the issue in parliament.Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson dubbed the bidding process "insane" last week, and has cast doubt on whether Virgin will bid for a franchise again.Sir Richard urged people to back the campaign, but said it had been set up independently of Virgin by a member of the public.In a blog on the Virgin website, he said: "The final decision has not been signed off and we want as much support as possible to force the Government to reassess this ill-judged decision."This is a great boost for everyone at Virgin Trains to see the level of support for us and the frustration at the Government's decision."It is clear customers want the decision reconsidered and Parliament should have the opportunity to debate this before any contract is signed, which is planned for August 28."FirstGroup has said it will introduce 11 new 125mph six-car electric trains on the Birmingham-to-Glasgow route, and provide more direct services between destinations.The Government says FirstGroup's new trains should add a further 12,000 seats a day on West Coast routes from 2016.

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Celebrities call for U-turn on West Coast rail decision

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