Shropshire Star

Billion-pound boost on the way for Shropshire trains

The new operator for Shropshire’s main railway line has pledged a billion-pound investment, improving services for Telford train passengers.

Published
A West Midlands Railway train in purple and orange colours

West Midlands Rail will take over the rights to the franchise for the West Midlands network from later this year, which includes the line from Shrewsbury through Telford to Birmingham.

The franchise is currently held by London Midland.

The new operator has promised to invest a billion pounds in the network, including new carriages and additional services to alleviate congestion of a variety of lines.

The news comes as Telford MP Lucy Allan and Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard met with Malcom Holmes, programme director of West Midlands Rail, to discuss the future of rail services in the West Midlands and Telford’s future connectivity.

At the meeting on Monday, MPs were told that the deal would see £700 million of investment in new and refurbished trains, including 400 new carriages, which will increase capacity and make journeys for comfortable for passengers.

From December 2018, there will be three trains per hour from Telford to Birmingham and from May 2021, there will be an improved Sunday service, with two services per hour by 2021.

In March 2021, there will be a new car park at Telford Train station, making room for an extra 100 cars with number plate recognition, and starting in summer 2018, a cycle hire facility will be introduced.

There will also be a new information screen at Telford Central to provide better information about onward connections with other forms of transport.

New station travel plans will also be put together for Telford Central and Oakengates to encourage more sustainable transport choices.

MPs were also given assurance that West Midlands Rail would continue to push for electrification of the rail line. Ms Allan said: “The meeting with West Midlands Rail was very productive and we were able to gain a better understanding of the improvements to the rail service, which will benefit my constituents in Telford.

“Improving connectivity in Telford is fundamental to our future growth and prosperity and we need to keep pushing this point.

“Telford makes a significant contribution to the West Midlands economy.”

“That is why I am delighted that West Midlands Rail have agreed to attend the Shropshire MPs quarterly meetings to keep us informed of future changes.

“I will continue to work with my fellow MPs to ensure that our rail services continue to meet capacity and keep up with a modern day economy.”

Meanwhile, it was announced that rail operator Arriva Trains Wales had pulled out of the bidding process for the franchise to provide services for passengers travelling in and out of Shropshire from late 2018. The German-owned train company is the current holder of the Wales and Borders rail franchise and is an integral part of plans to provide £1 million worth of support towards a programme for more than 300 new trains funded by the Welsh Government.

Three groups remain in the tendering process – Keolis Amey, Hong Kong-based MTR Corporation and Abellio Group.

Following a meeting with the company earlier in the year, Ms Allan said it was key for all of Shropshire’s rail companies to work together to do the best for Telford. She said: “It’s really important that the three train operators on this route work together to ensure that Telford gets the service it needs.” We are an important contributor to the West Midlands Economy.”