UK: The Department for Transport announced on October 15 that it intended to launch a competition for an interim franchise to operate the Inter-City West Coast franchise, following Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin's decision on October 3 to cancel the previous refranchising round due to `significant technical flaws'.

Open to `all bidders', the interim franchise would provide more time for the government to reconsider its franchising strategy before another competition is held for a `new long term West Coast franchise'.

In the meantime, DfT confirmed that it would negotiate with Virgin Rail Group for it to continue operating ICWC for `between nine and 13 months', until the interim franchise could be awarded. The government believed that retaining Virgin was `the best way to ensure services are maintained and that there is no impact on passengers.'