The Secretary of State for Transport – Patrick McLoughlin – has announced long term plans “designed to drive improvements to rail services, deliver on major infrastructure projects, and put passengers at the heart of a revitalised rail franchising system”. Click here for a link to the press notice.
The plans include a timetable for all franchises for the next 8 years. This shows the next Great Western franchise starting in July 2016 – a 33 month extension on the current franchise.