Transport boss supports Shrewsbury rail improvements, MP says

Owen Paterson MP for North Shropshire met with transport secretary Chris Grayling on the eve of his parliamentary speech in which he pledged to shake-up the country's rail services.

The changes "Connecting People - a new generation for regional rail operators", was he said, the biggest change since privatisation.

Mr Paterson, who is campaigning for an extension of the London to Shrewsbury direct train service north and better links between Shropshire and regional airports, said he met with Mr Grayling on Tuesday.

"He gave his full support to my campaign for a 30 minute service from Shrewsbury to Manchester Airport and Shrewsbury to Birmingham airport to be included in the new Wales & Borders rail franchise," Mr Paterson said.

"I am now to contact Welsh Assembly minister, Ken Skates, as a matter of urgency, to get him on board," he said.

The name of the company that will take over the running of the Wales and borders rail service is expected to be announced in December.

Last month the current operator, Arriva Trains Wales, announced it was pulling out of the running to carry on with the new franchise.

The Arriva-owned company has run the franchise since 2003. There are three remaining bidders - Abellio, KeolisAmey and MTR.

The Wales and Borders franchise takes in many of the services that run through Shrewsbury station including the Shrewsbury to Chester line, Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton and the Cambrian and Heart of Wales lines that run mainly in Wales.

Mr Paterson said: “We need newer, larger, faster, cleaner and more reliable trains. There is just not enough room on these trains at the moment.”

“We must also insist that the new franchise includes a half-hourly service from Shrewsbury to Birmingham Airport and Shrewsbury to Manchester Airport.”