Brussels, 23/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - Thje European Commission has agreed to a request by the British authorities to refer to them the examination of the acquisition by the Newcastle-based Go-Ahead group and the Paris-based Keolis SA of joint control of London-based Connex South Central Ltd (South Central).
Go-Ahead is a British firm providing passenger transport services in the United Kingdom, notably rail services, whereas Keolis offers similar services in FFrance as well as in other Member States of the EU. The company they intend acquiring, Connex South Central, is a rail operating company which provides passenger services in certain regions of the UK. The British authorities based their request on the fact that the operation will affect competition on certain rail routes in the region of London, Gatwick and Brighton where it will lead to an overlap of activities between Connex South Central and Thameslink, the rail operator held by Govia, a joint-venture between Go-Ahead and Keolis. They also pointed out that the lines in question had a local dimension in relation to the British rail network as a whole and that the operation will have no effect in other Member states but the United Kingdom. The Commission accepted these arguments and sent the operation for examination back to the British authorities, considering that the conditions laid down for this return in concerted agreement legislation had been met.