Witham MP, the Rt Hon Priti Patel, has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Heidi Alexander to press the Government for greater transparency and assurances over the future of local rail services as Greater Anglia prepares to come under public ownership in autumn 2025.
In her letter, Priti raises a series of key concerns on behalf of local residents and commuters, seeking specific answers on future investment, infrastructure upgrades, ticket pricing, and stakeholder engagement.
She said:
“While the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to rail reform, I am deeply concerned by the lack of detail provided so far about what this transition to public ownership will mean in practice for local services. My constituents want clear assurances that service improvements will continue and that investment in infrastructure will not stall.”
In particular, Priti has called on the Department for Transport to confirm whether long-standing local priorities – including step-free access at Marks Tey station and the redevelopment of Witham station – will remain on track under the new public ownership model.
She is also seeking confirmation on whether a five to ten-year investment strategy will be published, similar to the commitments previously made under the franchise system, and has asked for active engagement with local MPs, councils and rail users during the transition process.
Priti added:
“Public ownership must not mean reduced accountability or a lack of ambition. The public deserve to know how services will improve, how investment will be targeted, and how their voices will be heard. I will continue to fight to ensure that rail users across Witham and the wider region are not left behind.”
She has requested a meeting with the Secretary of State to ensure local priorities remain at the forefront of the Department’s plans.