30.06.17
Grayling given two weeks to make decision on maligned Southern franchise
Chris Grayling has been given two weeks to come to a decision over the Southern rail crisis, the High Court yesterday ruled.
In court yesterday, campaigners from the Association of British Commuters (ABC) argued that a decision over GTR’s handling of the franchise had been “unreasonably” delayed and should be completed as soon as possible.
James Hodivala, representing the ABC also criticised the DfT for the 14-month delay of the ruling, and stated there had been a “lack of transparency” from Grayling over when a review would be completed by the government.
In response, lawyers for the transport secretary said that a decision would be made “imminently” on the franchise, and that Grayling was “fully aware” of the misery that Southern passengers had gone through after over a year’s worth of industrial action and disruption.
They added that the decision would be followed by another one about whether any enforcement action, including the franchise being stripped from GTR, would be taken.
Justice Ouseley said he wouldn’t grant a judicial review on the understanding that a decision would be made within two weeks. While he ruled that the ABC should pay two-thirds of DfT’s legal costs (around £25,900), ABC co-founder Emily Yates said that the organisation regarded the decision as a victory.
“We have already had a precedent set when the judge agreed you should not wait until kingdom come for a decision to be made,” she said outside court. “We are disappointed he did not accept our case about disability access, but we regard today as a victory – and our campaign will continue.”
A DfT spokesman commented: “We are pleased the High Court has thrown out the application for a judicial review by the ABC.”
They added that the Gibb report, which was published last week, made it very clear that the responsibility for disruption on Southern was primarily caused by industrial action led by RMT and Aslef, and exceptional levels of staff sick leave.
“We have been considering whether the extensive disruption to the line last year was entirely beyond GTR’s control and our decision was due to be communicated to the company imminently,” the statement concluded. “We are more than happy to inform GTR of the verdict within the 14 days required by the judge.”
The ruling also comes a day after union Aslef launched their overtime ban on Southern’s services, causing even more disruption for commuters.
Top Image: David Mirzoeff PA Wire
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