Business leaders are to meet the bosses of one of four firms vying for a national rail franchise as the campaign to restore Shrewsbury’s direct rail link to London continues.

Marches Local Enterprise Partnership will meet First Group representatives next month with officials claiming it is vital that the link to the capital is restored to provide a much-needed boost to businesses.

The county has not had a direct link since the Wrexham & Shropshire rail company stopped its service in January last year.

Four companies are vying for the West Coast Main Line train franchise, due to be launched by December 9, which campaigners hope will include the direct link for the county. The preferred bidders are First Group, Virgin Trains, Abellio and Keolis.

Today Dr Geoffrey Davies, chairman of the enterprise partnership, said a meeting had been lined up with officials from First Group next month and it was hoped talks would also be held with the other bidders.

Dr Davies added: “The restoration of a direct rail link to London from our region would be a boost to both the local visitor economy and to businesses which are based here. The Department of Transport has indicated that it would welcome a direct service as part of their final bids, and we are asking for talks with Abellio, Virgin Trains, and Keolis, ahead of the completion of their tender submissions at the start of May.

“Working with the Shropshire, Telford and the Marches Strategic Rail Group, a meeting has already been secured with the fourth short-listed bidder, First Group.

“We are looking forward to putting forward our case for this unmet demand for a direct service and on the longer term aspirations for rail service provision in our area at a meeting next month.”

He added the preferred bidders had been told that as both Telford and Shrewsbury were growth points, the area should see significant growth in travel by rail.

See also:

• Shropshire may see return of direct trains to London