A Shropshire MP is calling for improvements to be made to the county’s direct rail link to London.

Owen Paterson, whose constituency is north Shropshire, is campaigning for journey times to be cut on the Wrexham Shropshire Marylebone Railway (WSMR) company’s route, which runs from Wrexham to London.

He is also asking for the company to include Birmingham’s International station on its route.

Mr Paterson met WSMR bosses in Parliament on Monday and hopes to meet the transport minister over the issue.

“I am a big supporter of the WSMR company but it can go faster through some sections,” he said.

“Currently it is three-and-a-half hours from Gobowen to London but to be really competitive it needs to get another half-an-hour off.

“I think it’s ridiculous that their trains pass through Birmingham International station, which is the main regional airport and they are not allowed to stop.”

A WSMR spokeswoman said: “We welcome Owen Paterson’s support for our services.

“On the issue of stopping at Birmingham International, an agreement between Virgin Trains and Network Rail prevents us from taking passengers from Birmingham International to London. These restrictions are in place until 2012.

“There are plans being put in place by Chiltern Railways, with whom we share sections of track, to upgrade the line between London Marylebone and the West Midlands. This will allow our trains to run faster over a number of sections of line.”