Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the draft invitation to tenderers for the East Coast Main Line franchise has not been issued for consultation to rail industry stakeholders; and why the consultation period is six weeks when Cabinet Office guidelines require a 12-week period. [HL3092]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamThe stakeholder consultation document was issued on 7 May to statutory consultees (some 30 local authorities) in accordance with the Railways Act.
The SRA has exercised its discretion to reduce the consultation process timescales. It is not a precedent for any future consultations. A wider-based consultation day is being arranged for later this month. There will be another opportunity for public input on key strategic issues affecting this route and its operators when the ECML strategy is consulted upon later this year.
Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
To whom the draft invitation to tenderers for the East Coast Main Line franchise has been issued. [HL3093]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamDraft invitations to tender were issued on 7 May to statutory consultees (some 30 local authorities) in accordance with the Railways Act for comment.
The four prequalified parties for the intercity east coast franchise—DSB (Danish Railways); First London, Scottish and North East Railway Ltd (First Group plc); Great North Eastern Railway Ltd (Sea Containers Ltd); and Inter city-railways (consortium of Deutsche Bahn AG, Stagecoach Group plc and Virgin Group Investments Ltd)—were also given copies of the draft.