Lampshade
Established Member
The thing about Virgin's lounges is that the offering is rather inconsistent. I mean Stoke-on-Trent and Runcorn get lounges, but Preston and Carlisle don't?
Where could they possibly put one at Preston?
The thing about Virgin's lounges is that the offering is rather inconsistent. I mean Stoke-on-Trent and Runcorn get lounges, but Preston and Carlisle don't?
Where could they possibly put one at Preston?
Where could they possibly put one at Preston?
Buried away in the back pages of our favourite newspaper:
Online here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/markets/article-2197084/FirstGroup-told-ignore-Bransons-campaign-review.html#ixzz25L96cdJ6
Or even Glasgow!
Do they have enough slack in their fleet then? Even with better fleet availability.
Whatever the case, to run any extra services at all, they would be pushing themselves. Even with the 4 extra units just arriving. Perhaps they could just do it, but id expect more delays than at present.
DfT said:When a new franchise begins, employees of the current franchise operator, including drivers, guards and back office staff will be transferred to the new operator, protected by TUPE regulations. All of the rolling stock used by the incumbent operator will also transfer across.
There used to be a Virgin lounge at Glasgow Central; it was demolished to make way for 2 extra platforms.
Just been on twitter:-
Hugh Pym @BBCHughPym
Govt re West Coast mainline - as a result of a legal challenge, contract not yet signed with First Group - competition "remains live"
Retweeted by BBC News (UK)
Hugh Pym @BBCHughPym
Govt also says intends to defend Virgin legal challenge robustly
Retweeted by BBC News (UK)
Hugh Pym saying about ICWC
In fairness this was before Virgin lodged its application for a judicial review. Greening would have known from the beginning that the contract could not be signed if Virgin made the application. By standing firm it forced Virgin onto the stage rather than hiding behind the Select Committee.Well its good to see Greening and her colleagues have finally listened to the Dft lawyers and accepting they couldnt sign while there was a challenge to the award. Their insistence that signing would continue despite the challenge was alarmingly ignorant.
Hopefully there is a debate due to the e-petition, depends on the Backbench Business Committee though.
Good that the DfT have put this on hold
They had no option as far as I can see, with Beardie going for a judicial review. I expect it to drag on now, maybe beyond Christmas. I'd be fascinated to hear what the Virgin staff feel about all this! Behind Richard Branson, or ****ed off that he's creating more uncertainty....?
Hope this will end up good news for us Virgin users
I don't think that was actually the case. The official line was that the signing would take place as planned unless there was a formal legal challenge mounted. In other words, Virgin had to put their money where their mouth was and raise the challenge in court, rather than hoping to get things delayed and debated without one. A formal challenge would presumably also have to be specific about the grounds for a challenge, rather than the generic toy-throwing of recent weeks, and so the DfT would have the specific answers.Well its good to see Greening and her colleagues have finally listened to the Dft lawyers and accepting they couldnt sign while there was a challenge to the award. Their insistence that signing would continue despite the challenge was alarmingly ignorant.
I'm worried about the long term effects of this decison. now any TOC who lose a franchise have precedent to go on if they want to pull a temper tantrum and run to the courts
Hopefully there is a debate due to the e-petition, depends on the Backbench Business Committee though.