MP's joy at direct rail route
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson has welcomed the news to run trains direct from Shropshire to London from March next year.
He said the decision by rail bosses was "tremendous news" for the area and was "important for the economy".
The Office of Rail Regulations has approved The Shropshire, Wrexham and Marylebone Railway Company Track Access Agreement with Network Rail, which will allow the company to finalise plans to run trains between North Wales, Shropshire and London Marylebone from 2008.
"It is really absolutely tremendous news for North Shropshire and what we have been waiting for, for years", said Mr Paterson.
He said Oswestry Borough Council leader, David Lloyd Jones, and himself, along with other MPs in Shropshire, had all worked together to push for the direct service from the county to London.
He added: "It is massive news for the area. I talked to the company last night and it's exactly how we planned it. There will be five direct return journeys to London weekdays, and a reduced service at weekends."
Andy Hamilton, managing director of the company, added: "We are delighted to have received the go-ahead."