Shropshire business leaders call for talks on direct rail link
Business leaders are calling for talks with potential operators of the Intercity West Coast rail franchise in a bid to see a direct Shropshire to London service restored.
The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership wants to meet with train companies competing for the franchise after it was revealed a direct link between the region and the capital was not a requirement of the contract.
All four of the short-listed bidders, Virgin Trains, Abellio, Keolis and First Group, have been approached by the LEP, with the latter agreeing to a meeting due to take place next month.
Dr Geoffrey Davies OBE is chairman of the LEP, the business-led partnership which is responsible for driving economic growth across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
He said: “I have written to the preferred bidders about the importance of a direct rail link between our region and London, which has been without that service since the closure of the Wrexham & Shropshire service last year.
“The Marches LEP is working with the Shropshire, Telford and the Marches Strategic Rail Group and we're encouraged that a meeting with First Group has been arranged. We look forward to sharing our thoughts and concerns with the company on the currently unmet demand for a direct service from Shropshire to London and on the longer term aspirations for rail service provision in our area.”
Although the Department of Transport tender specification does not require the bidders to include a direct Shropshire to London link, the potential operators are free to consider offering the service.
Meetings have already taken place with the region's MPs and the train companies, with a case made for a morning and evening service to the capital, running between London and Chester, stopping at Shrewsbury, Telford and Gobowen.
The Marches LEP has also endorsed Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council's joint request that a direct service be included as part of the bids.
Dr Davies added: “We also support the longer term aspirations of the local authorities which have been outlined to the train companies, which include electrification of the route between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton and examining the feasibility for the re-opening of the route between Wellington and Stafford.
The bids will be submitted to the Department of Transport on May 1.
