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COTSWOLD LINE PROMOTION GROUP

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The Department for Transport (DfT) announced on 21st June 2007 that London and Birmingham Railway Ltd (a subsidiary of Govia) has been awarded the contract to run the West Midlands franchise. The new franchise will begin on 11th November 2007 and will run until 19th September 2015. The DfT has the right to terminate the franchise after six years if the operator is failing to meet agreed performance targets.

The award of this franchise means, in effect, that the new franchisee will take over almost all Central Trains' services in the Worcester area.  A bid from Chiltern Railways to operate all the services from Birmingham Snow Hill was unsuccessful.

A major commitment is the replacement of all Class 150 Sprinter units operating on the Snow Hill lines by a new fleet of Class 172 diesel trains by July 2010.

The CLPG congratulates Govia on its award of this franchise and looks forward to continuing with it the good relationship which it has enjoyed with Central Trains over the years.

Item added on 21st June 2007.