Greater Anglia to be nationalised from autumn 2025

From next autumn Greater Anglia, which is currently operated by the Transport UK Group, will return to public ownership.

It will be one of the country’s first train services to come under public control as part of a new law to improve the rail network.

South Western Railway’s train services will be the first transfer into public ownership from May next year, followed by c2c in July and Greater Anglia in autumn 2025.

Greater Anglia will return to public ownership from autumn 2025 (Image: Newsquest) The government’s Department for Transport said the move will mean railways are run in the interest of passengers and taxpayers after 30 years of privatisation.

It said it will also clamp down on delays and cancellations, and will save up to £150m a year in fees by ensuring every penny is spent on services rather than private shareholders.

The announcement comes just days after the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 received Royal Assent, paving the way for the major shake-up of Britain’s railways. 

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long, the British public have had to put up with rail services which simply don’t work.

“A complex system of private train operators has too often failed its users.

“Starting with journeys on South Western Railway, we’re switching tracks by bringing services back under public control to create a reliable rail network that puts customers first.

“Our broken railways are finally on the fast track to repair and rebuilding a system that the British public can trust and be proud of again.”

Railway Industry Association (RIA) chief executive Darren Caplan said: “Today’s announcement is an important milestone on the journey to a restructured railway.

"The UK supply chain will work with and support the government’s plans to deliver improved rail performance and reliability, as we together develop world-class rail, both track and train.

“There is now a real opportunity to provide more certainty and visibility over work plans, which will help a reformed railway be a catalyst for boosting growth and connectivity across the nations and regions of the UK, with better services for rail customers – passengers and freight – and ultimately ensure enhanced value for money for the taxpayer.”

Greater Anglia said: “We look forward to working with the Department for Transport and ensuring a smooth transition to public ownership.

"Train services, timetables and station facilities will be unaffected by this announcement, with no changes to ticket validities or conditions of carriage.”