East Coast rail line returns to private sector

Mr Burns also insisted the franchise for services on the East Coast Main Line would be returned to the private sector.

Services on the line have been run by a Government-backed company since 2009 when National Express Group gave up the franchise.

A new private operator is due to be chosen this year and start services in December but the timetable has been in doubt since problems emerged in the competition to run West Coast Main Line services, causing the Government put all new franchises on hold.

Speaking in York yesterday, Mr Burns said: “By the end of March we will be in a position where we will be able to say how we are planning to move forward.

“We have always made it quite plain that we would like to see the East Coast Main Line returned to the private sector through a franchise and that is still our aim.”

Mr Burns was in York to see the start of construction of a new rail operating centre which will employ almost 500 staff and bring signalling and control of rail services between London and the Scottish border into a single location. The £36m project will also see the creation of a new centre providing training to Network Rail staff.

Both centres are being built on the former site of a triangle used to turn trains around close to York Station.

It has been replaced by a turntable which was officially opened by the Minister as it was put to the test by the steam locomotive Olton Hall which featured in the Harry Potter Films.

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “These operating and training facilities will allow us to deliver a modern, efficient railway while at the same time maintaining York’s position as an important rail city.”

Mr Verster added: “As well as bringing future employment benefits which are vital for economic growth and prosperity in York we hope that the location of these new facilities on the edge of the York Central development site could act as a catalyst for further investment in the area.”