Virgin not ruling out London rail link revival
Rail giant Virgin today refused to rule out restoring Shropshire's only direct rail link to London. Rail giant Virgin today refused to rule out restoring Shropshire's only direct rail link to London. And they have called on the people of Shropshire to lobby the Department for Transport to make sure a county rail link is included in future tendering discussions for the West Coast franchise, due to be renewed in April 2012. Virgin today said the Wrexham & Shropshire service - which closed on January 28 with the loss of 55 jobs - had set a benchmark for other operators with its high customer service standards but claimed its business model was "flawed". Jim Rowe, spokesman for Virgin, said the firm was currently drawing up plans ready to bid for the West Coast franchise it currently operates, which is up for grabs next year.
Rail giant Virgin today refused to rule out restoring Shropshire's only direct rail link to London.
And they have called on the people of Shropshire to lobby the Department for Transport to make sure a county rail link is included in future tendering discussions for the West Coast franchise, due to be renewed in April 2012.
Virgin today said the Wrexham & Shropshire service - which closed on January 28 with the loss of 55 jobs - had set a benchmark for other operators with its high customer service standards but claimed its business model was "flawed".
Jim Rowe, spokesman for Virgin, said the firm was currently drawing up plans ready to bid for the West Coast franchise it currently operates, which is up for grabs next year.
Asked whether Shrewsbury or Telford could be included in an enhanced service, he said: "Never say never.
"Clearly we are in a bidding situation, or will be, when the West Coast line comes up again," he said.
"We will be putting in a very strong bid but we wouldn't be discussing the context of that bid now, because that would leave us exposed to competitors.
"If you look at the DfT consultation document, there is currently no mention in there around Shrewsbury and if any bidder does include it, it would probably be over and above what the DfT are asking us to bid for.
"Now, with the DfT drawing up the specifications for the West Coast franchise, the Shropshire community needs to go to the DfT with their requirements.
"Stakeholders and local authorities need to put together population figures and business figures to show what is happening in the area," Mr Rowe said.
The deadline for consultation for the DfT is April 21 this year.
Virgin dropped plans to introduce a rival to the Wrexham & Shropshire service in 2009. Virgin wanted to bring in a twice daily service between Shrewsbury, Wellington and Euston, but it was opposed by Wrexham & Shropshire.
More than 6,300 people have already signed a petition calling for a direct link between Shropshire and the capital to be reinstated.
By Russell Roberts