Train deal scrapped

There has been an extraordinary twist in the battle for control of the most important rail link in the North West.

The franchise for the West Coast Main Line was awarded to First Group in August - but the government has now cancelled it.

It says there were "significant flaws" in the bidding process because of mistakes by Department of Transport staff.

Three have now been suspended and taxpayers are now facing a bill of at least £40 million.

• Politics
• West Coast Main Line
• Virgin Rail

Speaking to ITV News, the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP admits if it had not been for Richard Branson's legal challenge the flaws in Britain's rail franchise system may never have come to light.

He said: "If the legal challenge had not been mounted we might not have found these out, that's true."

• Politics
• West Coast Main Line
• Virgin Rail

Three people at the Department of Transport have been suspended after the Government scrapped its decision to award the West Coast Main Line rail franchise to FirstGroup.

The Transport Secretary said there were "significant technical flaws" in the bidding process because of mistakes by Department for Transport staff.

The estimated cost of reimbursing four companies for the cost of their bids will be £40m. FirstGroup, which beat Virgin Trains to win the franchise, says it's ''disappointed.''

• Politics
• West Coast Main Line
• Virgin Rail

The government has scrapped plans to award the West Coast Main Line rail franchise to FirstGroup because of technical flaws. It means the bidding process for the major rail route in the North-West wil be re-opened.

• Politics
• West Coast Main Line
• Virgin Trains