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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Kalyeena Makortoff and Gwyn Topham

UK rail regulator rejects Virgin’s bid for west coast mainline route

A Virgin train.
Virgin has been looking to return since the government blocked the renewal of its west coast franchise in 2019. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA

Richard Branson’s hopes of returning Virgin trains to the west coast mainline have been dashed after the UK rail regulator rejected its application amid concerns over delays and cancelled journeys.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has rebuffed three applications for new additional train services on Britain’s busiest line.

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