27/08/2012 Midlands Today

Good afternoon. A Midlands Lord and former Labour Transport spokesman

is warning Virgin Trains a review of the West Coast Mainline contract

wouldn't make any difference. FirstGroup is to take over the

running of the line, which joins the Midlands with London and

Scotland. As our Political Editor explains, MPs will decide if they

should intervene when Parliament returns next week.

The Virgin logo is due start disappearing in just over three

months' time. The Transport Department decided Britain's

biggest train operator, FirstGroup, should take over the line linking

the Midlands with London, the North West and Scotland after they outbid

Sir Richard Branson's Virgin group. One former railwayman turned

politician believes whatever MPs may say in any Commons debate, the

new franchise agreement is as good as being a done deal. It would

enable the whole business to be discussed properly Richard has not

been so far. We doubt whether the Government would at this stage

could or would change their minds. There is talk about a judicial

review of but there would presumably be another one if the

government decision was reversed. Rugby in Warwickshire has seen its

services to London much-improved during the 15 years Virgin have

been operating them. Before the franchise deal, the town's MP urged

the Transport Secretary to think long and hard before awarding it to

anyone else. The service from the station is very important to my

constituents. They commute to London on a regular basis and many

businesses have located here. Making certain we maintain a

regular, reliable service is very important here. FirstGroup plan to

grow the passenger numbers on the West Coast line by 10% a year for

each of the next ten years. Virgin considered that unrealistic. Their

success or failure will go a long way towards proving, or disproving,

the business case for a new system of high speed rail services linking

the same major cities. And you can read more about what

FirstGroup is promising for the West Coast Mail Line on Patrick's

blog. Coventry City are searching for

their 11th manager in 12 years following the sacking of Andy Thorn.

The Sky Blues' chief executive says the team, now playing in League One

are underachieving. Thorn's dismissal came just 48 hours before

their League Cup match against Birmingham City.

Just 10,000 supporters were at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, to see the

Sky Blues throw away a two goal lead, to draw at home to Bury. But

a united front from the players wasn't enough to save Andy Thorn's

job. The fact that we get three draws in three games... And in the

second half, the way they gave away the position at the half time when

we could have been 6-0 up was not acceptable. Thorn's tenure saw just

13 wins from 60 games with relegation to the third tier of

english football. To seasoned observers, it was the beginning of

the end. A lot of fans we have spoken to said that if they were

going to sack the manager, it should have been done last season,

at the end of last season. He's had time to strengthen the squad but it

has not -- he has not had a length of time to prove how good the squad

might be, only three games. Thorn's sacking has been broadly welcomed.

It was the right decision. A they are not playing very well at all.

They have the odd game but it is not worth watching. I am a fanatic

and all the way through, I thought he was the best manager. The club's

widely-documented financial woes include the owners taken to court

over unpaid rent, large player wage bills and concerns over falling

revenues. Today, the club insisted it's financial fortunes are being

turned around. Two of the coaches will take charge of the team for

tomorrow's League Cup catch -- match against Birmingham here. The

hunt for the new manager starts now. Along with it, the search for

stability. A soldier from Shropshire who lost

both his legs in action in Afghanistan will be among eight

servicemen representing Team GB in the Paralympics. The games get

underway on Wednesday. For 30-year-old Nick Beighton from

Shrewsbury this will be his first Paralympics. He only got into a

boat two years ago. He took up rowing after losing both his legs

when he was injured in an explosion whilst serving with the army in

Afghanistan. It has been such an emotional three years, from first

to be serving in Afghanistan, to being in hospital, to crawling back

to full health and recovery. This is their reward for that. Before

his injuries the serving captain with the Royal Engineers had skied,

rock-climbed and run all over the world and was adamant his injuries

wouldn't stop his passion for sport. I set out early on with a

determination and attitude that this was not going to change our

approach life. And he's not the only member of the forces to have

qualified for the games. First sportsman will be among eight

British servicemen taking part and it is all francs to charities like

this one. -- all thanks. Troop Aid in Solihull raises money to help

soldiers like Nick injured in Afghanistan. It hopes the

Paralympics will inspire others like him. It is hugely inspiring to

all of those sports people who are dealing with their injuries at the

moment. They will be looking at the Paralympics and thinking that is

maybe something I can do. It is hoped that will be the lasting

legacy of the gains. Not the most memorable of bank

Brighter tomorrow but I cannot do much better than that. We end the

weekend with yet more rain this evening but gradually, as the head

through the night, that rain will ease to leave us with a brighter

day tomorrow. This evening, the rain will peter out and push away

to the east. The skies begin to clear. One or two showers in

western parts by the end of the night. Temperatures at 12-15

Celsius. Tomorrow looks like a brighter day. It should be mostly

dry with good spells of sunshine. A small chance of catching a shower

but the majority will remain drive. Warmer as well with those

temperatures rising to 20 or 21 Celsius. The better weather doesn't