[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21272542

The competition to run the Great Western rail franchise between south Wales and London is being scrapped.

The UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said he wants to negotiate an interim franchise of at least two years with current operator FirstGroup.

It follows advice from the Chair of Eurostar Richard Brown who has been investigating the collapse of the West Coast Main Line franchise deal.

In a statement to Parliament, Mr McLoughlin said he would undertake "a more fundamental review of the franchise proposition, recognising that this is a large and complex franchise which will need to manage service delivery whilst the route is electrified and new rolling stock is introduced."

In March last year, FirstGroup, National Express, Stagecoach, and Arriva, a division of Deutsche Bahn, were short-listed for the Great Western franchise.

Mr McLoughlin said that he did not believe it would be appropriate for the UK government to reimburse the bidders for their costs.

Another railway franchise cock-up .....