The Government have confirmed two south Essex rail operators will be nationalised next year.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced C2C and Greater Anglia, both operating in south Essex, will be returned to public ownership as well as South West Railway.

She added the companies were selected based on when their contracts expire, with C2C's deal running out in July, and Greater Anglia's next autumn.

The C2C line runs from Fenchurch Street to Shoebury, while the Greater Anglia line runs from London Liverpool Street to Shenfield.

Ms 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 first rail firm to be transferred will be South Western Railways, which will complete the transition in May next year.

The Department of Transport expects all passenger services currently operated under the franchise system to be transferred into public ownership over the next three years.

Bosses added that they have allowed “several months lead-in” for train services to be transferred to minimise impact on passengers.