A Government Minister has defended the length of time taken to decide who runs the trains on the flagship East Coast Main Line.

Keith Hill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, said it was hoped an announcement would be made "shortly".

He was responding to a 2,000-signature petition organised by the Evening Press and handed over to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott on our behalf by York MP Hugh Bayley.

The petition called for a swift decision on who should win the 20-year franchise to run services on the key London-Edinburgh route via York.

It also called for York-based GNER, which currently operates trains on the route, to be chosen, rather than competitor Virgin.

Mr Hill said in a letter to Mr Bayley that the Strategic Rail Authority had been criticised over the length of time it had taken in awarding this and some of the other new franchises. "However, I am sure you will agree that when awarding franchises for up to 20 years, it is imperative that not only the best possible deal is secured for passengers, but the preferred counterparty (sic) has the capacity to deliver its proposals. It is hoped that there will be an announcement shortly about the way forward on the East Coast Main Line franchise."

Meanwhile, GNER has revealed that 100,000 of its 150,000 bargain basement tickets to ride have now been snapped up.

The company launched a special promotion earlier this month, enabling passengers to travel from York to London for just a fiver, with a return ticket costing £10. Tickets have to be bought at least seven days in advance, and the promotion finishes on May 3.

Updated: 11:53 Thursday, April 19, 2001