A train company which put in a bid to run a direct service from Shropshire to London has had its application turned down by rail regulators.

The Wrexham and Shropshire railway must reduce its running time to London before there is open competition on the line, a Shropshire MP has said.

Railways rarely get accolades these days, but that’s because not enough people have sampled the delights of Wrexham & Shropshire, writes Michael Palin.

Dame Judy Dench and Michael Palin have both enjoyed trips on it, while Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski is a regular –Wrexham and Shropshire Rail has become a much-loved service since it was launched in April 2008.

The operators of Shropshire’s direct rail service to London today announced a freeze on New Year fares.

County rail company Wrexham & Shropshire has announced new proposals to allow standard class passengers the chance to order full cooked meals to eat on their train journey before travelling.

A timetable for Shropshire’s direct rail link to London could be improved even further in December bosses said as they introduced their latest changes to improve journeys for passengers.

Passengers using Shropshire’s direct rail route to London will soon take advantage of improved journey plans after the company behind the service carried out a major overhaul of its timetable.

Letter: I read with interest that Arriva Trains are planning to introduce two direct trains per day to London from Aberystwyth to London, via Shropshire.

Shropshire rail passengers were today handed a boost for the Bank Holiday period after it was announced that planned engineering work is to be scrapped.

The firm behind Shropshire’s direct rail link to London is celebrating after Shrewsbury Town’s trip to Wembley led to the biggest day in its history.

Train company Wrexham & Shropshire will stop at Wembley Stadium this month so that county football fans can travel direct to the FA Cup Final.

MP Owen Paterson has urged Arriva Trains Wales to look at improving its current services before expanding to provide a direct route from Mid Wales and Shropshire to London.

The company which operates Shropshire’s direct rail link to London is celebrating its first birthday – as it announced Easter was its busiest fortnight yet with nearly 9,000 people using the service.

LETTER: Just over a week ago, there was uproar in the local community following the proposal by Virgin Trains to operate direct trains from Shrewsbury, Wellington and Telford to London.

A Shropshire MP has written to a rail watchdog over what he claims is an attempt by Virgin Trains to force a smaller competitor, which provides a direct link to London, out of business.