Deadline for East Coast rail bids

GNER was awarded the franchise in 1996

Detailed bids to run the East Coast Main Line, one of Britain's busiest rail routes, are due to be submitted to the Strategic Rail Authority on Monday.

Four companies have entered the race to operate the London to Edinburgh route, which has been run by GNER since 1996.

GNER wants to retain the franchise but faces stiff competition from First Group, Danish Railways and a consortium comprising Stagecoach and Virgin.

The new franchise will run from May 2005 for seven years.

'Keenly contested'

It involves providing passenger services between London, parts of East Anglia, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, the North East and Scotland along the East Coast Main Line and other routes.

The SRA said it expected to announce a preferred bidder "early next year".

SRA managing director (operations) Nicola Shaw said: "The new franchise will be keenly contested between strong players with considerable rail experience.

"We look forward to their bids, setting out in detail what they will deliver for passengers and taxpayers."