The MP for Witham has met with the Rail Minister to push for investment in the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML).

Priti Patel, chairman of the Great Eastern Main Line Taskforce, said investment in the line must be a priority and urged Rail Minister Jo Johnson to ensure improvements are delivered within the original timeframe.

The Taskforce will be presenting MP Jo Johnson with an updated rail prospectus, outlining the case for investment in the GEML and what it will generate in terms of economic growth.

After the meeting, Ms Patel said: “Commuters in Witham and across the Great Eastern Main Line have endured poor and overcrowded train services for too long.

"Having established the Taskforce in 2012, I have long campaigned for improvements to our rail services.

"The Taskforce’s recommendations were accepted by the Government and we now need to see investment in critical infrastructure.

“The new franchise will deliver new rolling stock in 2019, however the full potential of the new trains will only be realised if the infrastructure is upgraded too.

"Commuters are paying some of the highest fares nationally and they must see this money coming back in investment."