Should we bring back Network SouthEast?

[Arran]

On Sunday 25 May 2025 the franchise period for South Western Railway expired and the company was nationalised. Southeastern has been nationalised since 16 October 2021. c2c will be nationalised on 20 July 2025 and Greater Anglia will be nationalised on 12 October 2025.

This means that the majority of the services in the old Network SouthEast territory will be nationalised before the end of the year, with only Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern remaining privatised until no later than 1 April 2028.

Do you think that the Network SouthEast brand should be revived?

[Richard1978]

It sounds like a good idea.

[Arran]

Network SouthEast existed for only a mere 8 years from 1986 to 1994 but it left a lasting impression in the minds of both rail users and wider society.

The sectorisation of British Rail with the creation of the InterCity and Network SouthEast divisions was a strategic move that better reflected the requirements of rail users in the late 20th century that was completely undone following privatisation of British Rail with many franchises mirroring what was the railway network in the 19th century.

There is a potential conflict between a recreated Network SouthEast and Transport for London which now offers services on some lines formerly served by Network SouthEast. It's possible that certain lines, such as the North London and Lea Valley lines, will not be part of a recreated Network SouthEast.