Rail changes force Shrewsbury pupils to start early

The Church Stretton Rail Users' Association said it was "up in arms" after Arriva Trains Wales refused to amend its new timetable, which is due to start in May.

The association claims changes to the Church Stretton to Shrewsbury route have been made without any consultation.

The changes will see the 8.07am train, which is used by pupils travelling to school, leave 25 minutes earlier, at 7.37am. The group says the move will see pupils arrive in Shrewsbury before 8am.

Arriva Trains Wales said the timetable changes represented a package of improvements for Mid Wales, which it was delivering at the request of Welsh Government.

But association member Gay Walker said: "The rail users' association strongly suggests Arriva Trains Wales shows some concern for its Shropshire passengers and abandons the very damaging retiming of the 8.07am trains from Church Stretton to Shrewsbury.

"The association has complained to both Arriva and Shropshire Council. We recently met with representatives of Arriva but were told there was no chance of amending the timetable before November.

"This change was made without adequate prior consultation and despite representations from the association, councillors and MPs, Arriva seems determined to ignore the needs and wishes of Shropshire residents."

An Arriva Trains Wales spokesperson said timings for certain trains had to be altered to make sure the changes went ahead.

"To achieve delivery of these new services, some trains have had to be retimed, in particular the 7.54am Craven Arms and 8.07am Church Stretton to Shrewsbury services, which will now leave at 7.24am and 7.37am to deliver these improvements.

"The morning service will now have the benefit of serving the hub of Crewe, calling at Yorton, Wem, Whitchurch, Wrenbury and Nantwich, so it affords convenient connections for customers wishing to travel to Manchester, London and Scotland."