DISGRUNTLED train users took part in a Bring Back British Rail protest yesterday.

The action, which included members of Swindon People’s Assembly and Swindon Area Green Party, took place outside the train station, joining a national protest which saw gatherings at 47 stations across the country.

The campaign is calling for a unified, not for profit, national rail network.

Kate Linnegar, of Swindon People’s Assembly, said: “The arguements for public ownership are overwhelming.

“We already have the most expensive fares in Europe, since privatisation the cost of rail fares has risen by 23 per cent in real terms, many UK rail franchises are operated by foreign state owned railways.

“But, for political reasons, UK state owned companies are prevented from bidding against them.

“The cumulative cost of privatisation has been more than £11bn of public funds.

“The publicly owned East Coast Mainline returned nearly £1bn to the government since 2009.

“Between 1997-2012 Virgin Trains’ West Coast Mainline paid £499m in dividends after pocketing £2.5bn in subsidies. And in the same period, Government and tax payer support to the rail industry was £5.2m, this is at its highest level since 2007/08.”