LONDON (Reuters) The British government said yesterday it would seek offers next year for the Greater Anglia rail franchise in eastern England until 2013 as an interim measure while a review of the industry is completed.

The Greater Anglia franchise is currently run by National Express.

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition said it planned to offer 15-year-minumum contracts for rail franchises in 2012 and 2013, although the Trans Pennine Express contract could be extended for five years after 2012 to avoid overloading the industry with too many tenders.

“My department is discussing a proposal for an extension with the current operator,” transport minister Philip Hammond said in a statement to parliament.

The Trans Pennine Express franchise is run by First Group and French transport group Keolis. The Thameslink and South Eastern lines in southern England will also be offered on a short-term basis as necessary until construction work at London Bridge station is completed. “We ... need to co-ordinate the programme of franchise renewals to take account of major planned railway projects, which will inevitably disrupt operations,” Hammond said.

In 2012, Hammond said the government would award a franchise to run the Inter City West Coast line until the opening of a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham in central England in 2026.Other longer-term contracts to be offered in 2012 and 2013 include the East Coast Main Line, Northern and Essex Thameside. The Greater Western franchise will be tendered in either 2013 or 2016.

A final report is expected in April 2011.