Witham MP Priti Patel has warned that Greater Anglia rail services will be at risk when the Labour Government brings them into public ownership in six weeks’ time (Sunday 12 October 2025). Greater Anglia is currently regarded as one of the top-performing rail services in the country with investments in new trains and improved passenger services. But since announcing their plans to take over the running of these services, Labour Ministers have refused to give any details of their future plans, including on investment, rail fares, the presence of manned ticket offices and funding to improve access for disabled passengers. Priti had previously worked with MPs across the region, local authorities and businesses to engage with the last Conservative Government and Greater Anglia to improve services, but Ministers in the Labour Government have refused to consult and engage on their plans. Following Labour’s ongoing refusal to provide answers to Parliamentary Questions, Priti has written to the Secretary of State to demand answers. Priti said:
“Labour have had months to consult, engage and develop plans for the future of our rail services but have refused to do so. It’s shocking that in six weeks’ time they will be taking over the control of one of the best performing rail services in the country but have failed to say anything about what this will mean for the future of rail services. Commuters could now be facing higher fares, worse services and ticket office closures as Labour have refused to give any guarantees.”
“We have worked hard to secure improvements to rail services and over £1 billion in new trains for the network in recent years. But it’s appalling that Labour ministers cannot tell us what changes will be made in the future. Having cancelled the A12 Widening Scheme, we know that Labour do not care about transport infrastructure in Essex. Given how incompetent this Labour Government is, we should all be concerned that these clueless and inept Ministers are about to take control of this important service.”
The full letter can be found on Priti's Facebook page, here: https://www.facebook.com/pritipatelmp/posts/pfbid0273riFxCDGvfhdsfFoRSaU3cU3MMKwrofjFgx619umNgjHv3ijmWRWfHcnERUSkJpl
