Labour has asked the government to delay a contract on West Coast Mainline so that the leaders have more time to scrutinize the deal.

Maria Eagle, the shadow transport secretary has said that the government’s decision to take away the franchise from Virgin Trains and award the same to FirstGroup should be delayed until next week when the parliament reopens.

The leaders have raised concerns about how the decision to change the franchise would affect fares and levels of service on the route. The remarks comes after Louise Ellman, the chairman of the House of Commons transport committee wrote to transport secretary, Justine Greening urging for a delay in signing of the final contract until important issues are discussed.

More than 100,000 members of the public have signed a petition against the decision and it is also being supported by several celebrities including host of TV show The Apprentice, Lord Sugar, and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Meanwhile, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has said that his company is ready to run the service for free for some time to allow parliament to review its decision before it sings the final contract on the franchise.