Shropshire Chamber urges government to review rail remit

John Clayton, President of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "During the course of the initial tendering process, we met with all four potential bidders to listen to their proposals and to discuss the inclusion of a direct Shrewsbury to London rail service within their proposals. Our representations were positively received by each and every one, highlighting a compelling acknowledgement of the vital importance of this service to the local area.

"To ensure that the reintroduction of this direct rail link goes ahead as it should, the Department for Transport has to broaden the parameters of the tender process, by not only looking at the pre-existing services, but by giving sufficient consideration to the wider economic and community needs. Were it to do so, then the justification for both the direct rail service and electrification of the Wolverhampton-Shrewsbury line, a long-standing aspiration of the Shropshire Local Transport Plan, would be indisputable."

The awarding of the West Coast Main Line contract to First Group was officially scrapped earlier this month after a legal challenge by Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Rail uncovered irregularities in the bid process. It was announced earlier this month by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin that the retendering for the contract could take up to 18 months.

Richard Sheehan, Managing Director of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "As a Chamber, we are wholly committed to supporting our members and to representing their interests across the wider business world. A direct rail link to the capital is essential for business growth, and we will continue to work tirelessly to lobby for the reintroduction of this, whatever the outcome of the review."