A transport watchdog has given a guarded welcome to the region's new rail operator.
National Express's One franchise took over the running of all train services between East Anglia and London at the start of this month.
The change means Stansted Airport is now served by the same rail company that operates train services in mid and north Essex.
David Bigg, chairman of Witham and Braintree Rail Users' Association, said: "At the moment it looks like mixed blessings we're keeping an open mind.
"The pluses include a more efficient use of London Liverpool Street combined with the track maintenance and signalling work which is committed already.
"Track re-laying at Witham should enable journey times to go back to pre-Hatfield levels, which means that hopefully the Stratford stop on the 7.31am from Braintree can be restored."
But he added: "On the negative side it seems a virtual certainty that between Colchester and London, where there are currently seven trains per hour, that will be cut to five or six."
Published Wednesday April 7, 2004
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