Shropshire MPs united in call for return of London rail link

Shropshire's five MPs have held crunch talks with the Government in a bid to reintroduce direct trains to London.

They met Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for Transport, at Westminster yesterday to discuss the situation, which arose after the Wrexham & Shropshire train company went out of business last year.

There has been cross-party support for a direct link and Telford MP David Wright said he was now looking for a commitment from the Government.

"All of the MPs were speaking and making it clear to the Secretary of State that we would like to see direct services to London in the morning and the afternoon," he said.

"We told her we hoped she would consider our bid and that we needed a direct service. There will now be a period where she assesses the bids.

"This is our last chance for some years to get a direct link and we need a direct link to boost the economy and to increase leisure and tourism."

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said a direct link would improve the local economy.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson added: "I don't want to raise anyone's hopes but she took what we said on board."

"This is the best opportunity to reintroduce a link because the Government is accepting bids to take over the West Coast Main Line, which covers this area. Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said:

"All of Shropshire's MPs are united on the need for a direct rail link to be restored. It would be good for business, residents, and would help attract more tourists to the county. We all made the case for Shropshire."

Also at the meeting was Ludlow MP Philip Dunne and Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies, with Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow also taking part.