THE Department for Transport has agreed a six month extension to the Southeastern franchise, as it continues its bid to untangle the franchise programme following the collapse of the West Coast competition in October last year.

After Richard Brown had recommended a rethink of the franchising schedule in a review commissioned by the DfT, there is now a queue of contracts waiting to be renewed, and the Southeastern move is the latest DfT attempt to ease the franchising logjam.

The agreement includes the continuation of the high speed Javelin service between London, Sandwich and Deal, which had been thought to be under threat.

Rail minister Stephen Hammond said: "This is good news for passengers and local businesses along the route and provides certainty in the short term. Over the coming months my officials will be looking at developing plans for the new direct award franchise and I am keen to see this vital route continue.

“We recognise the importance of strong transport links to communities."

Southeastern managing director Charles Horton said he was pleased that the services to Sandwich and Deal could continue.

The operator's owner Govia is set to bid for the following directly-awarded contract, which will be a mini-franchise lasting until June 2018. Govia also operates the London Midland and Southern franchises.

The current changes, as with the recent extension to the First Great Western franchise, are only short term solutions. Most long-term franchises are not due to be awarded again until after the general election, although one principal exception is the controversial return of East Coast to the private sector, which is due to be completed in February 2015, three months before the election.

Other franchises also due to be awarded for longer terms next year are Essex Thameside (presently c2c) and the Thameslink/Great Northern contract (presently First Capital Connect). The new Thameslink franchise will then be merged with the Southern franchise in July 2015.