Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons he is seeking to obtain a direct award for the West Coast Main Line franchise from 1 April 2022; and what comparative assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) that approach and (b) a franchise competition exercise.

The Prior Information Notice provides the opportunity to develop a Direct Award in line with the Secretary of State’s duties under section 26 of the Railways Act. No decision has been made on West Coast.

The Direct Award will replace the Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement (ERMA), which expires in March 2022. There is insufficient time to hold a competition before the end of the ERMA.