West Coast mainline row

Virgin will continue to run train services on the West Coast Main Line, which runs services from Holyhead to Euston, temporarily after securing an extension.

Sir Richard Branson's company will remain in control of the line for between nine and 13 months before interim and long-term providers are decided upon.

• UK
• North Wales
• Transport

Sir Richard Branson will attend a Transport Committee hearing over the decision to award the West Coast Mainline rail franchise to rival company, First Group.

Virgin Trains have held the contract, which operates the services from Holyhead to Euston,15 years.

Last week he launched a legal challenge to prompt a review into the decision.

Since Branson's court challenge, Government Ministers had to admit to MPs that they have not yet been able to sign the contract with First Group.

• Business
• North Wales
• Transport

The Department for Transport have confirmed that they have so far not signed a contact with First Group to take over the running of the West Coast Mainline. The company were named as preferred bidders for the route last month, which sparked a court challenge from current operator Virgin Trains.

Virgin Trains have run the franchise for the past 15 years. The company is now looking for a judicial review into the decision to award the contract to its rival company, FirstGroup.

Rail Minister, Theresa Villiers, said the Government would "robustly" defend the case following the decision to award the West Coast Mainline contract to FirstGroup.

In a statement to MPs she said: "As a result of a legal challenge, which the Government intends to defend robustly, we have not yet signed the contract with First West Coast, and consequently the competition remains live." .

• Business
• North Wales
• Transport

Virgin Trains says it has launched court proceedings over the UK Government's decision to award a new West Coast franchise to transport company FirstGroup.

Virgin has operated the line since 1997, but FirstGroup will take over the 13-year contract from December.

Speaking from Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson said the decision to take legal action was a 'last resort'.

FirstGroup says it has 'every confidence' in the Department for Transport's process, which it describes as 'rigorous, detailed and fair' and in which bids are 'thoroughly tested'.

For more on this story visit ITV News.

• Business
• North Wales
• Transport

Virgin Rail has lost its franchise to run the West Coast Mainline including the link from Holyhead to Euston - a service which it has been operating for 15 years.

Passengers are promised major improvements with more seats and better services but there's concern over jobs and what it could mean for fares.

• Business
• North Wales
• Transport

Virgin Rail has lost its West Coast main line franchise including the route from Holyhead to Euston.The company's been operating the line for 15 years. Our Business Correspondent Carole Green reports from Llandudno Junction.

• Business
• North Wales
• Transport