VIRGIN CROSS COUNTRY RAIL FRANCHISE

Early day motion 1626, tabled 8 September 2004 by David Drew (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 29 members.

That this House notes the Strategic Rail Authority announcement to end negotiations with the Virgin Rail Group on the future of the Cross Country rail franchise; recognises that the SRA decision now leaves the future of Cross Country uncertain; believes that any decision that breaks existing operations into two or more pieces would only worsen the already fragmented nature of rail passenger services; further believes that following the rail review the Government should now take the necessary steps to secure the future of Cross Country operations by allowing services to be run in the public sector as has been done successfully at South Eastern Trains.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.