‘Flaws’ delay new Thameslink bid
Serious flaws in the way a rail contract was awarded has led the Government to pause a competition to run the new Thameslink route.
Rail passengers will have to wait to find out which company takes over the revamped Brighton-Bedford line after the the Department for Transport ordered an independent review into its rail franchising programme.
The West Coast Main Line contract, awarded to the First Group, was torn up after the department admitted there were ‘serious technical flaws’ in the bidding process.
The operator for the new Thameslink route, currently run by First, was due to be announced in September 2013, but this could now be delayed.
MPs have also called for a review of a contract to build and maintain the new Thameslink carriages after it was awarded to German company Siemens at the expense of 1,400 jobs at a Bombardier factory in Derby.
Crawley MP Henry Smith said: “With the independent inquiries ordered yesterday by the Transport Secretary being told to report by Christmas, I am hopeful that this will not delay or jeopardise the Thameslink investments which will improve the travelling experience for local commuters substantially.”
Jeremy Taylor, of Gatwick Diamond Business, said: “The impact on Thameslink is a concern because of the need to have modern rail infrastructure to serve Gatwick and the surrounding area. The worry is that businesses could lose out..”
First will compete against Govia, (Southern Rail’s parent company), Abellio, Stagecoach (South West Train’s parent company) and Mass Transit Railway for the contract.
A depot at Three Bridges will maintain the new carriages, creating 600 jobs, with the full fleet due by 2018.
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Weather for Crawley
Monday 20 May 2013
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