MPs meet minister over Shropshire London rail link

Shropshire and Mid Wales MPs were in talks today with Transport Minister Theresa Villiers to try to secure a direct rail link between the area and London.

It follows the loss of the Wrexham & Shropshire service. The only way of reinstating a rail link to the capital is to see whether the service could be included in the West Coast franchise, which is currently under review.

Telford's Labour MP David Wright was spearheading the cross-party delegation which also included Conservative MPs Daniel Kawczynski, Philip Dunne, Glyn Davies, Mark Pritchard and Owen Paterson.

Mr Wright said: "This is an important meeting about the future of rail services.

"We were dismayed to see the end of the Wrexham & Shropshire service. We really need an alternative.

"I think we want to have a general discussion why the Wrexham-Shropshire service failed.

"I think there are lessons to be learned about open access on that, but we also want to discuss how we can get a direct service on a stable and sustainable basis.

"It is more likely that we need to include our section of the service, the line through Shropshire and to North Wales, into the West Coast franchise," he added.

Shrewsbury MP Mr Kawczynski said they were "determined" to press for a solution.

"It is vital that Shropshire has a direct service to London," he added.

Ludlow MP Mr Dunne said people wanted the service reinstated, while Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies stressed how valued the service had been.

The new West Coast franchise, held by Virgin Trains since 1997, will dictate the fresh bids. Virgin Trains has said it does not have the rolling stock to get involved.

Arriva Trains Wales is run by the same company as Wrexham & Shropshire, Germany's DB Schenker, so it is unlikely to step in.

The last train from Wrexham to London, via Shropshire, ran in January after operator Wrexham & Shropshire said it could no longer continue, blaming falling passenger numbers, despite having the highest passenger satisfaction rating.

In an earlier Passenger Focus it had scored 96 per cent, compared with a UK average of 84 per cent.

By London Reporter Sunita Patel