EWS welcomed the publication by the Competition Commission of its final report into EWS’ acquisition of the Marcroft Engineering Group on 12 September.  The publication of this report will lead to the end of nearly a year of uncertainty for customers and employees of the Marcroft Group.

EWS is pleased that the Commission has confirmed that EWS can retain the Stoke workshop, thereby safeguarding a facility that would otherwise have been lost from the Rail Industry, securing services for customers and jobs for the employees. EWS will now begin to implement its plans to invest in the development of the Stoke workshop, starting with a track upgrade.  EWS is also pleased that the Commission has accepted that Marcroft can continue to run and operate a substantial Outstations business.

EWS is disappointed that the Commission has decided that it is necessary for it to sell part of Marcroft’s Outstation business, a conclusion, which in EWS’ view is unsupported by the evidence received by the Commission during its 7-month long review. Nevertheless, EWS will continue its constructive co-operation with the Commission in implementing its report.