'A big disappointment' - Shropshire businesses react after Shrewsbury to London rail link hits the buffers

The plan put forward by newbie rail operator Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway would have provided five trains per day between Shropshire and London.

But a announcement by the Office for Road and Rail(ORR) today (July 3) dashed hopes for the service, which would have reinstated Shropshire's rail link to the capital after Avanti West Coast's services from Shrewsbury to London were scrapped last year. 

Now, an organisation representing Shropshire's businesses says it's not the end of the line for the scheme - and has vowed to work with MPs on a revised plan for the route, which it descibes a "vital link between the county and the capital". 

“This is such a big disappointment. I have already written to the Telford and Shrewsbury MPs offering our support in putting together a revised plan," said Shropshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ruth Ross.

“We have long identified that one of the key barriers to growth in Shropshire is the lack of transport infrastructure which is fit for purpose in terms of both road and rail.

"The Chamber is therefore very concerned that this news is not only damaging to the local economy but also short sighted given the county’s success in being named as one of '10 Destinations to watch' globally by travel organisation ABTA.

“Businesses need fast, reliable and frequent direct services between Shropshire and London allowing them to make new connections, sell their goods and services and to showcase the great business community that we have here in Shropshire to both national and international audiences.

“The lack of a direct rail service can only be detrimental to the ability of the Shropshire business community to generate economic growth for our region.”

The previous direct rail service between Shropshire and London was terminated in March 2024 by operator Avanti West Coast, with the Department for Transport blaming the "very low number of passengers" that used the service for the withdrawal.

Avanti and its predecessor on the West Coast Main Line, Virgin, have both introduced, reduced and withdrawn services over the years while a previous open access service run by Arriva-backed Wrexham, Shropshire & Marylebone Railway lasted just three years between 2008 and 2011. 

A spokesperson for Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway said the company had received "overhwhelming support" from businesses for the service - adding that it would seek to "renengage" with the ORR to determine the future of the proposal.

“We are extremely disappointed with the Office of Rail and Road’s decision to reject our application – the only current application to receive support from the Department for Transport," they said. 

"We have spent the past two years demonstrating that capacity and performance concerns can and would be negated by the industry working together to deliver a better railway for passengers. WSMR would have set new standards for how open access operators can and should work alongside nationalised rail services.

“Since our application was submitted in March 2024, we have received overwhelming support from local people, businesses, councillors and MPs, who all recognise the urgent need for this connectivity. We will now urgently seek to reengage with the ORR and determine our next steps regarding the future of this vital passenger service.”