Dismay over timetable changes on Shropshire railway

Commuters in south Shropshire have claimed they were not consulted on changes that will cause a major disruption to the routines of those travelling to Shrewsbury.

The morning train from Swansea to Shrewsbury currently stops at Craven Arms at 7.54am and Church Stretton at 8.07am before arriving at Shrewsbury at 8.22am, Mondays to Fridays.

But the service is set to run 25 minutes earlier from May and objectors claim this will deposit students in Shrewsbury with nothing to do for 45 minutes and meaning rural families who already face an early morning and a long commute will have to get up even earlier.

However, Arriva Trains Wales say the changes would result in better connections with ongoing services, and Shropshire Council was notified of the changes.

Gay Walker, speaking for Church Stretton Rail Users Association, said: "It will have a big impact on our students and people who go to work.

"Our catchment is quite wide in Church Stretton, and in Craven Arms, people might already have to drive for half an hour to get to the station."

Claire Lillie, of Arriva Trains, said: "The earlier departure of this service from Church Stretton to Shrewsbury will result in better connectivity with other train services at Shrewsbury and Crewe. The timetable has arisen from Welsh Government's commitment to enhance the weekday service on the Heart of Wales Line."