Wrexham & Shropshire axes unprofitable London route

A Shropshire rail company has decided to axe one of its Shrewsbury to London Marylebone daily services because it claims not enough passengers are using it to make it run profitably.

The changes to train services operated by Wrexham & Shropshire will take effect from December 12.

Two off-peak return services will be combined to cut the four services to London Marylebone down to three.

After analysing customer travel patterns, Wrexham & Shropshire bosses said several off-peak services are not running profitably.

The decision has been taken to combine the two least used weekday off-peak services and run one less service in each direction per day.

Saturday will also be reduced from four to three trains in each direction.

Andy Hamilton, managing director at Wrexham & Shropshire, said: "Our unique position as a local train operator working without subsidy means that our viability is directly affected by passenger numbers."

He added: "The change will not affect travel for over 70 per cent of our passengers and will allow us to focus our resources on growing our business where demand is greatest. We know that some customers will be inconvenienced, and for that we apologise."

The changes mean the 11.27 and 15.25 trains running from Wrexham to Marylebone will be replaced by a service at 13.28 arriving in London at 17.30.

The 07.20 and 11.20 trains from London Marylebone to Wrexham will be replaced by a service at 09.20 arriving in Wrexham at 13.20.