Train link sure to boost county says minister

Direct train services between Shropshire and London will provide a 'real boost' for the county, rail minister Theresa Villiers said today.

FirstGroup has been handed a contract to run the InterCity West Coast main line franchise in a £5.5 billion deal with the Government that includes the introduction of direct trains between London and Telford and Shrewsbury from 2016.

Mrs Villiers said the new services would provide a number of benefits for the county.

"The new service that First Group plan to run from Shrewsbury and Telford to London would provide a real boost for Shropshire," she said.

Mrs Villiers praised Shropshire's MPs for campaigning rigorously for the return of a direct link to London.

Ousted franchise holders Virgin said it had also been planning to introduce direct trains to the county, with its services scheduled to come into place by the end of 2015.

Business leaders and politicians have pledged to fight to get the direct service from FirstGroup introduced more quickly.

See also:

• Joy and questions over London rail link plans

• Why must Shropshire wait for London link?

• Shropshire to get direct rail link to London

• Leader: Rail link is great news but not end of battle