STAGECOACH Group has failed to reach agreement with the Government over the renewal of the South West Trains franchise and will have to bid against other operators for the London Waterloo commuter service.

In a statement, the company has confirmed that it has been notified by the Department for Transport that it is ending discussions with Stagecoach subsidiary Stagecoach South West Trains Limited regarding the direct award of a new rail franchise.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.