To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss the East Coast Main Line franchise with (a) Peterborough City Council and (b) Opportunity Peterborough prior to its award; and if he will make a statement. (144291)

The Department for Transport published a Consultation Document for the new East Coast Main Line franchise in December 2006. Peterborough city council was consulted, and submitted a response that was incorporated within a Stakeholder Briefing Document that was issued in March 2007.

Bids for the new franchise are currently under evaluation, and the Department does not intend to undertake further discussions in addition to opportunities that have already been available to stakeholders prior to the announcement of the award, expected later in the summer.