The take-over of the rail franchise has been approved

The Competition Commission has agreed April's merger of three existing franchises as the move would not cause a substantial lessening of competition.

Affected routes are from London to Southend and between Peterborough, Cambridge and Norwich.

Greater Anglia was created from the Anglia and Great Eastern franchises, which were both run by First Group.

The Competition Commission's inquiry into the impact of the new Greater Anglia rail franchise included two surveys of users and an analysis of the potential profit incentives.

They looked at rail and coach services across the area and transport routes between London and Southend where National Express was already operating.