Virgin withdraws open access rail bid

Virgin Trains has withdrawn its application to run open access services between Liverpool Lime Street and London Euston.  In a letter to the Office of Rail and Road, Neil Micklethwaite, Virgin’s business development director, says: “We consider that with the Williams Review [of rail] still not having been published, there remains considerable uncertainty that at this time, we had originally hoped would have been much clearer. Consequently, and after much consideration, we have decided to suspend our application. At the same time, we remain committed to this railway and would look to consider re-applying in the future, once we have seen the outcome and understand the impact of the Williams Review.” Virgin relinquished the West Coast franchise (operated as a joint venture with Stagecoach) last December.