GWR will be late arrival returning to public hands

PASSENGERS on the West’s main train company will have to wait at least another two years before it is returned to public ownership, it is understood.

- TRISTAN CORK

Great Western Railways can't be re-nationalised until 2027

(James Manning)

The Government announced late last week that Great Western Railway, which is owned by First and has a franchise to operate services from Paddington into the West Country and Wales, would be returned to public ownership when that franchise expires.

But while the announcement by transport secretary Heidi Alexander gave specific dates for three rail companies to be taken back into public ownership in the near future, GWR becoming re-nationalised will take a lot longer.