Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Prinsley Excerpts

Thursday 26th March 2026 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Peter Prinsley (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket) (Lab)]

1. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the renationalisation of the railways on rail users in the east of England.

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)]

On behalf of the Government, may I associate myself with your remarks about David Winnick and extend our condolences to his family?

Bringing Greater Anglia and other east of England train operators into public ownership will put passengers first. Since coming into public ownership in 2025, both Greater Anglia and c2c are delivering some of the lowest cancellation rates in the country, while new stations and upgrades across the region are improving reliability and accessibility as we move towards an integrated, passenger-focused rail network.

[Peter Prinsley]

I am grateful for that answer. Greater Anglia has consistently been at the top of the performance scale for our railway operators, but could the Secretary of State tell me whether the nationalisation of the railway will lead to the increased likelihood of a much better commuter service between Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge, which is presently only an hourly service, and what the prospect is of a direct train line from Bury St Edmunds to London?