The managing editor of the industry newspaper RailNews claimed he would "not want to be Justine Greening today" as the transport secretary faced Virgin Trains' bid to derail the West Coast mainline franchise signing by its rival First Group.

Sim Harris looked at how the successful bidder could react if the government were to revisit its decision to award the 15-year contract for the rail line linking London Euston, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

The Conservative minister also has to deal with continuing political unrest in her party over the HS2 high speed rail route planned between London and Birmingham, and divisions over a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

But Douglas MacNeill, transport analyst at Charles Stanley stockbrokers, said the Heathrow issue was "little more than mood music".

Get in touch with Today via email , Twitter or Facebook or text us on 84844.