MP demands action on Shropshire-to-London direct rail link
A direct rail link from Shropshire to London must be included in the West Coast Main Line franchise when it is next renewed, an MP demanded today.
Daniel Kawczynski told Rail Minister Stephen Hammond that, with a decision on the future of the West Coast Main Line looming, the future of the whole franchise had to include provision for Shropshire.
The Shrewsbury and Atcham MP held a meeting with the minister to hammer home the importance of the direct link.
The franchise is due for a short-term renewal in November, ahead of the full agreement coming into place in 2017, and Mr Kawczynski hopes to use that renewed agreement to secure the future of the London link.
The MP has backed the Shropshire Star Direct Link Campaign for the reintroduction of a direct route.
He said: "I told the minister that there can be no extension for the franchise without a guarantee that there will be a direct rail service between Shrewsbury and London."
Thousands signed a Shropshire Star petition calling for a direct link, which would provide services between London Euston and Telford, Wellington and Shrewsbury.
Currently people travelling to London have to change at Birmingham or Wolverhampton, or drive to stations like Stafford or Stoke which are served by quick trains to the capital.
Virgin Trains says it wants to create a direct link to Shropshire, but it has struggled to find capacity on the line to enable passengers the option of travelling down to London in the morning and back in the evening.
