East Coast main line to be privatised

The East Coast main line, which passes through East Anglia, is expected to be back in private hands in less than two years under rail franchise plans announced by the Government.

The East Coast main line runs through Peterborough and Stevenage to King's Cross in London.

The line has been run under the control of the Department for Transport since November 2009 after transport company National Express pulled out.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced the start of a bidding competition for the East Coast franchise with an expected start of service by the new operator in February 2015.