Star readers react angrily to Network Rail block on Shropshire to London service

Readers have been giving their reactions to the news on the Shropshire Star website and

since the announcement was made on Tuesday, with the decision labelled "not good enough" and "very disappointing".

• Direct Shropshire to London rail link rejected

Vikki Naughton said making the decision on the grounds that a direct service would lead to congested rail routes was "ridiculous".

"Surely they should of thought about that before allowing companies to bid for the rail link?

"How long have we been waiting for this in Shropshire?" she said. "We are redeveloping Telford to allow for the additional tourism and business visitors and this could have a real effect on the county."

Colin Williams said: "This is not good enough. Even though I live in Welshpool people would have benefited from Shrewsbury to London train."

Richard Thomas added: "So two additional trains each way each day will put every other journey at risk.

"I hope Network Rail haven't approved any other trains on the line. Oh, and what about the 'negative impact' to the millions of potential travellers in the service's catchment area who have no direct option to London?"

But Ollie Simms said people had "voted with their feet" in previous years by not using the Wrexham & Shropshire direct line to London Marylebone in large enough numbers.

The route was closed in January 2011, following the reintroduction of a direct link in 2008.

"There is clearly no demand and in a free market that means a sensible business does not set up a service," he said.

"It's simple economics really – just change at Wolverhampton."