Thousands call for Virgin to be retained

More than 28,000 people have signed a petition calling for a Government U-turn on awarding the West Coast Main Line contract to FirstGroup.

Campaigners say the value of the line, which runs through the Black Country and Staffordshire, is down to millions of pounds of investment from Virgin over the past 15 years.

They claim that FirstGroup cannot deliver on its promise to improve the line due to its poor track record in customer satisfaction surveys.

Staffordshire transport boss Councillor Mike Maryon said he will 'keep a close watch' on the deal to ensure FirstGroup's claims of providing more seats, extra routes and lower fares are delivered.

Councillor Maryon, the county council's cabinet member for highways and transport, added: "I will certainly be keeping an eye on this petition as well."

The online e-petition reads: "FirstGroup consistently rate amongst the worst of the train operators in passenger satisfaction surveys – they should show improvements in their existing services before being able to bid on more.

"Any previous time Virgin have lost a bid in a rail tender the winner has failed to deliver promised plan and revenue – the East Coast is still under Government ownership. The Government should look at more than the highest bidder. I urge the Government to reconsider this decision or to seek public opinion."

A total of 28,488 have signed it so far.

A FirstGroup spokesman said: "This is a good deal for taxpayers providing value after the massive £9bn of Government investment in the line."

The trains stop at stations including Wolverhampton, and Sandwell & Dudley.