Leader: Rail link is great news but not end of battle
It is not often that there is great news to report on the public transport front for Shropshire, but today is one of those rare days in which there is a palpable victory to celebrate.
It is not often that there is great news to report on the public transport front for Shropshire, but today is one of those rare days in which there is a palpable victory to celebrate.
The direct rail link from Shrewsbury and Telford to London, something which campaigners, politicians, passengers and commerce have been crying out for, is to be restored as part of the deal for the new franchise on the West Coast line.
First things first, as these things do not usually happen without pressure being applied. Congratulations to the campaigners, including the county’s five MPs who worked together, and also the leaders of the two main councils within the county, Keith Barrow and Kuldip Sahota.
When the fizz has gone out of the celebratory bubbly, the serious business will begin with two fundamental challenges.
The first lies with the new operator, First West Coast. It is up to the firm to come up with a timetable and pricing structure which will appeal and ensure success.
The Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway which failed in January last year with heavy losses offered a great deal in its pricing and had sky-high approval ratings, but had to take a rather roundabout route and so journey times were not attractive.
As for the second challenge, that lies with Shropshire and our people.
Having fought so hard and so successfully for the direct link to be restored, it would be tragic if passengers and the business community did not take advantage and show that yes, this is something we really want.
All parties now need to work together to make a success of this brilliant news which brings with it new opportunities to boost tourism and business in Shropshire.
Comments for: "Leader: Rail link is great news but not end of battle"
Emma
Just to state that Virgin also had this direct rail link to Telford & Shrewsbury in their bid too, let see how long First last!
Roger
They were all required to consider the service as part of their bids. It does not means that the services will become a sustained reality. Virgin ran the service once and cancelled it. This is not about how popular Branson is, we all know he's an excellent salesman. He is also a supporter of sound business practices and operating uneconomic services is not part of that.
Bill
I'll believe this has happened when I see the trains running - a General Election and many other changes have to happen before there is any sort of "triumph".
So let's cool the hyperbole and stop the back-slapping. And the 'claiming of credit' by those least involved.
Any economic benefit for Shropshire will only come if the service is not just the 'one up, one down' that existed before - good for Shropshire businessmen and politicians getting to London for the day, but no use for London-based people coming out to seek to do business in Shropshire.
Unless there are at least four trains each way each day - two in the peaks and two more reasonably priced in the off-peak periods that leisure travellers can use - we'll be no better off.
And if there isn't a real service that ordinary people can use, it'll be classed 'uneconomic' and....... disappear..............
Port Hill Boy
Spot on.
It's completely naive to assume that today's announcement will turn into reality - let alone become a schedule that has any impact on encouraging business to the county.
David
It just won't happen.
I can bet a large sum of money on that.
Four years to come up with an excuse not to run to Shrewsbury. I can think of several already which they'll probably use.