1,500 sign Shropshire Star London rail link petition
More than 1,500 people have signed a Shropshire Star petition calling for a direct rail link between the county and London.
The landmark has been reached just four days after the campaign was launched.
The petition will be delivered to rail officials in the capital who have blocked plans to set up services from Euston Station to Shrewsbury, Telford and Wellington.
Cross-party MPs in the county have backed the campaign, together with business leaders who say the link is vital for Shropshire's future.
Copies of the petition will be presented to officials from the Office of Rail Regulation when they meet with county MPs about the issue of Shropshire's rail link next month.
To sign the petition, click here
Shropshire Star petition for direct rail link to London
Shrewsbury & Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski has also pledged to present a formally-worded version of the petition to the House of Commons, urging the Department of Transport and the ORR to work with Network Rail and the train operators to ensure a regular and direct service from Shropshire to London is established as soon as possible.
Shropshire Star Deputy Editor Mark Drew said today: "There has been a huge response, both online and from readers sending in coupons in the post.
"They indicate the strength of feeling and will greatly strengthen the case being presented by MPs when they meet the rail representatives.
"We have had hundreds of comments from Shropshire Star readers who feel the county desperately needs the direct link to London."
Colin Gittoes, from Shrewsbury, is among those to fill in the online petition.
He said: "Shropshire is at the very heart of the UK yet still does not having a direct rail link to the capital.
"We need the link to help pump lifeblood into the rural area and to help businesses succeed."
Nick Jones, from Shrewsbury, added: "A direct link would speed up my journey to London for meetings.
"It would mean I would no longer have to drive to the NEC to catch a direct train."
The petition will be available to sign for the next three weeks ahead of the MPs' meeting with rail officials.
