100,000 call for Virgin to keep West Coast Main Line deal

More than 100,000 people have signed a petition demanding a rethink over plans to strip Virgin Trains of its franchise to run the West Coast Main Line.

The Government has said petitions on its website which run to six figures can trigger a debate in Parliament.

FirstGroup was awarded the 14-year deal to run the West Coast Main Line from December. The line covers stations from London to Scotland, passing through Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Sandwell and Dudley, Wolverhampton and Stafford.

Virgin has been running the line for 15 years and has mounted an internet campaign to put pressure on the Government to reconsider the franchise award.Virgin owner Sir Richard Branson said: "In less than a week 100,000 of you have said that you believe that Virgin Trains should continue to run the west coast mainline and have called for the House of Commons to debate the issue.

"All of us at Virgin Trains are overwhelmed and thank you.

"Let us hope that sense prevails and your views are acted on quickly. I'd also like to thank passenger Ross McKillop who uses Virgin Trains and FirstGroup regularly for starting this petition."

Louise Ellman MP, chairman of the influential House of Commons Transport Committee, has also called for a delay in signing the contract, which is meant to happen on Tuesday, so they can ask questions and scrutinise the plan when Parliament returns from its summer recess.

Sir Richard added: "The transport committee is absolutely right to ask for a delay. The growing public concern about the franchise, and lack of answers from the Department for Transport, means that a pause for reconsideration is essential to let Parliament examine this very important issue."

Just because the petition has reached 100,000 signatures does not automatically qualify it for a House of Commons debate. An MP must make the case for their consideration.

In a statement FirstGroup said: "We appreciate that Sir Richard Branson is a high-profile celebrity with millions following him personally on social media. However, our business is transport – first and foremost. We are introducing major improvements to the InterCity West Coast franchise to enhance the customer experience, including improved wifi and catering, as well as additional services and more seats and reducing standard anytime fares by 15 per cent on average."