Priti Patel discusses future of Greater Anglia rail services

From October 12, Greater Anglia services will be under direct government control, and Ms Patel and rail passengers have raised concerns about the lack of plans the government has put forward.

According to the MP, Greater Anglia has recently seen improvements to its services - with record levels of investment, improved punctuality and a new £1.4 billion fleet of trains.

Ms Patel has now raised concerns about political interference, potential transition disruptions, and the quality of service and investment under Labour's control.

She also claims her questions to the government about their plans have gone unanswered.

After discussions with Greater Anglia’s managing director, Martin Beable, and head of corporate affairs, Jonathan Denby, Ms Patel said: "It is extraordinary that the Labour Government is choosing to dismantle a successful rail operator that has been improving services and investing in new trains, stations, and community partnerships across East Anglia.

"For years we have worked closely to secure new investment in better services and all of this is now at risk with Labour's ill-thought-through ideological decision to nationalise and control the railway.

"Instead of supporting success, Labour’s fixation with nationalisation throws everything into uncertainty."

"Passengers in Witham and across Essex want more investment, more trains, and a better deal on fares, not a politically motivated experiment.

" I will continue to fight for our rail services, hold this Government to account, and make sure the voice of Witham is heard."