Politicians have called for investment in the Great Eastern Mainline at a meeting with rail bosses.

Priti Patel lead the Great Eastern Mainline Taskforce meeting on Tuesday, where discussions took place on consumer issues like the short formation of trains and compensation, as well as MPs pressing the case for strategic investment in the line.

The taskforce's present focus is on achieving franchise commitments including the introduction of passing loops between Witham and Colchester and resignalling works south of Chelmsford.

Ms Patel said the taskforce is upgrading the rail prospectus and asking for the improvements to be funded through the Department for Transport’s enhancements process.

She said: “Work is underway to revise the business case published a few years ago to include the latest economic growth data for the region.

"This process is involving each of the counties, the local enterprise partnerships, business groups, authorities and the Department of Transport.

“The Taskforce has so far been successful in influencing the new Greater Anglia rail franchise which will see new trains introduced along the mainline from summer 2019.

"However, the full potential of the new trains will only be realised through the delivery of the infrastructure improvements that are needed across the network.”