A High Court hearing into the government’s handling of the strikes on Southern Rail has been set for next Thursday.

The Association of British Commuters wants a judicial review into whether ministers failed to determine if managers had breached franchise obligations.

Mick Cash, the boss of the RMT which is in dispute with the rail operator and its parent company Govia Thameslink over driver-only trains welcomed the news, saying “the spotlight is now well and truly back on the basket-case franchise”

The Department for Transport said it would be “inappropriate” to comment while legal proceedings were ongoing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40324822