The next train to London via Shropshire will be leaving...? – MP steps in to urge speedy decision
An MP has urged railway regulators to make a quick decision on a new train service between Wrexham and London, via Shropshire.
Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway have applied for a new rail service that would connect Shropshire directly to London, starting in Wrexham and stopping at Gobowen, Shrewsbury and Telford before travelling through the West Midlands and ending at London Euston.
North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has urged the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to approve a new direct rail service between North Shropshire and London “as soon as possible”.
The company is keen to launch the new route as soon as possible, but can only do so once the Office of Rail and Road has given the go-ahead.
It comes only a few months after the closure of the direct route from Shrewsbury to London, which has left Shropshire without any services that go direct to the capital.
Mrs Morgan has campaigned to improve transport links in North Shropshire since she won the famous by-election in 2021.
She has backed proposals to reconnect Oswestry’s rail to Gobowen as well as championing local bus services across North Shropshire.
The MP has also called for step-free access at Whitchurch Station, where Platform 1 is currently inaccessible for people with disabilities or mobility difficulties.
Ms Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said: “North Shropshire is one of the worst connected places in England by public transport, and is in desperate need of investment.
“A new link to London - which brings extra services between Wrexham and Shrewsbury - would be a real boost for local businesses, and create real opportunities for our young people.
“If the new Government is serious about growing the economy and growing opportunity then it should be encouraging new routes like the direct service to London and the reopening of the Oswestry to Gobowen line.
“I have written to the Office of Road and Rail, urging them to approve the proposals and get this service moving."
A spokesperson for the ORR said it has not received all the necessary information to make a decision.
They said: "We have received WSMR’s application and are reviewing it against the established criteria and legal framework for approving these applications.
"This means there is a process, which involves Network Rail, train operating companies and other parties, in providing sufficient information for ORR so that we can be assured there is space on the railway network for any proposal for new train operation to offer a reliable service to passengers.
"We also need to be assured regarding the level of revenue the service will generate versus abstracting revenue from existing publicly funded services.
"At present ORR has not received all the necessary information from the parties to reach a decision.
"Having this information is essential for us to assess the extent to which WSMR’s application interacts with other existing or aspirant services on the network."