Shropshire Chamber urges government to get rail infrastructure rolling
Shropshire Chamber of Commerce is calling on the Government to ensure the much-awaited reintroduction of a direct rail link from London to the county forms part of any long-term plans to run the West Coast Main Line franchise.
In a letter to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP, John Clayton, President of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Virgin Trains’ plans – announced earlier this week – to operate two daily trains between Shrewsbury and the capital as part of its temporary running of the franchise until November 2014. However, he emphasised the need for ministers to make sure the direct link formed part of the ‘core service’ outlined when the franchise to run the West Coast Main Line is put out to re-tender.
Mr Clayton also raised concerns that the ongoing difficulties with the re-franchising process were causing delays in vital infrastructure investment, and he called on the Secretary of State to kick-start the necessary upgrades to rolling stock, signalling, and track electrification immediately.
Mr Clayton’s letter stated: “The Chamber is concerned that investment in such infrastructure is ‘on-hold’ whilst the re-franchising process is put in place. The franchising process as previously configured has limited the incentive for additional investment for rolling stock as the franchises have come to an end. It is for this reason we believe the Government should place orders now for the ‘core rolling stock’ required for the West Coast Main Line, which is then made a requirement to be taken up by the successful franchisee.”
The Chamber also recommends that the successful franchise is given the incentive and confidence to continue making ongoing investment in long-term infrastructure and rolling stock, “on the basis that such improvements are, in due course, taken up by a successor franchise at their then current value as part of the franchise re-contracting process”.
