Rail firm which operates lines through Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest will be the third private operator to come back under public control

A Greater Anglia train at Brimsdown Station

Greater Anglia will be the third private rail operator to be nationalised, the government has confirmed.

Plans to overhaul the rail network and “put passengers first” were announced today (Wednesday 4th) by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, with South Western Railway’s services being the first to transfer into public ownership in May next year.

C2C, which operates services in and around Essex, will be the second to be nationalised in June 2025, with Greater Anglia becoming the third next autumn.

Greater Anglia operates trains on the West Anglia Main Line route through eastern Enfield and Haringey, as well as the branch line to Stratford via Lea Bridge in Waltham Forest.

The announcement comes after one of the new Labour government’s first major pieces of legislation, the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024, received royal assent.

The government says the transition to a publicly-owned railway will “improve reliability” and encourage more people to use the railway, although there isn’t expected to be any immediate reduction in ticket prices.

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.”

The Department for Transport (DfT) expects the transfer of all private passenger services operated under contracts with DfT to be completed over the next three years.

The transport secretary has also announced that publicly-run services will be managed by DfT Operator Limited, whose functions will eventually be integrated into Great British Railways.

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.”

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