Region’s new rail service hailed

Bosses of Shropshire’s new direct train service to London today labelled its first week of operating a success despite delays and technical problems. The first train was held up for 40 minutes.

Wrexham and Shropshire chiefs said more than 1,000 people had used the new service by the end of the first week on Saturday.

And passengers who have travelled on the new service, said they would continue to use it after it was restored for the first time since 2004, on April 28.

The launch day was hit by set-backs after the maiden train was stranded at Wellington for 40 minutes.

A later train had to terminate at Banbury instead of continuing its journey to London Marylebone.

But a spokeswoman for Wrexham and Shropshire today said that despite the problems, the first week had been a success. She said more than 1,000 people had used the new service up until Saturday, but they were unable to give figures for the last few days.

“We’re very happy with the figures and know from talking to passengers on board that are happy to have the direct service,” she said.

Ian Beaver, a 31-year-old builder’s merchant from Leebotwood, near Shrewsbury, who travelled on the first journey, said he would use the Wrexham and Shropshire service again.

He said: “I will definitely use it again. I know there was a difficulty with the first day but it was only a technical hitch.”