Direct rail link from Shropshire to London to launch

The direct link will be launched in four years time by FirstGroup, the UK’s biggest bus and train operator by revenues, who was today awarded the West Coast franchise for the next 14 years, commencing from the end of 2012.

The group has promised to set up a direct link to the capital from Telford and Shrewsbury as part of a £5.5 billion deal with the Government.

Shropshire has been without a direct rail link to London since the closure of the Wrexham & Shropshire service in January last year after owners DB Schenker made a £2.8million loss.

Although popular with its regular passengers, the Wrexham & Shropshire service was hampered by the fact it could not run through Birmingham, meaning the journey took about three hours.

FirstGroup chief executive Tim O’Toole said: “We are delighted to be selected by Government to operate this unique railway which connects communities across the country and plays a vital role in the UK’s economic growth.

“We will be making significant improvements including reduced journey times and introducing new direct services.”

Mr O’Toole added: “In support of our commitment to generate increased passenger growth we will be reducing Standard Anytime fares by 15% on average.”

Direct link welcomed
The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership today welcomed the announcement. The LEP has been working with the Shropshire, Telford and the Marches Rail Group to lobby for the restoration of the link throughout the tender process.

Marches LEP Chairman Dr Geoffrey Davies OBE, had also raised the importance of a direct rail link to the capital with Communities Secretary Eric Pickles MP during a visit to Shropshire earlier this year.

He said: “We had met with First Group to share our concerns with the company on the unmet demand for a direct service from Shropshire to London and on the longer term aspirations for rail service provision in our area.

“We also pressed home the need for better connectivity, as the only county without a direct rail link, to Mr Pickles and was encouraged by his response Transport Minister Justine Greening MP had been asked to look into it.

“I’m delighted to see that First Group included this commitment for a direct link to London from Telford and Shrewsbury from 2016 in its winning bid, which will be a real boost not only for our visitor economy but also for the businesses which are based here.

“Good transport links are essential to ensure we can attract businesses which want to invest here and create the sustainable jobs which are so urgently needed.”

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski commented:

“It’s wonderful news that all of our hard work lobbying for Shropshire’s direct rail link to London to be re-instigated has finally paid off. I’ve met with various parties over the past year and have put our case in the strongest possible terms, so I am naturally very pleased that our argument has been heard and accepted. I am, however, disappointed that the service will take four years to come to fruition as we need this vital link to the capital now. I am also well aware of other issues around the rail service, such as the parking provision at Shrewsbury’s train station which is simply not good enough, and I am committed to continuing to explore all possible improvements.”

John Clayton, President of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

“As a membership organisation committed to supporting the business community here in Shropshire, the Chamber of Commerce recognised that re-instigating the direct rail link to London was hugely important, and we have worked tirelessly with partners like Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, to help make this happen. I am delighted that First Group will introduce a new direct link from Shrewsbury and Telford to London, but disappointed that this will not be in place for four years.

“Our business community is still facing the various challenges of a sluggish economy and difficult trading conditions, and as a county it’s imperative that we make it as easy as we can for our businesses to do business. A direct rail link will certainly help us in this respect, and will no doubt make our county a more attractive place for businesses to stay, move thrive and prosper, it’s just a shame that we still have to wait so long.”

Telford & Wrekin Council has also welcomed the announcement. Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota said:

“We are obviously delighted that FirstGroup have included services from London to Telford in their package of measures.

“Ideally we would like to see them introduced a bit sooner than four years time and we will continue to lobby for that but there is no doubt that this is fantastic news for both the residents of the borough and our business community as well.

“The council is looking forward to working with FirstGroup to help develop this service up to 2016 and beyond.

“Telford & Wrekin Council has worked closely with Shropshire Council, the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Telford’s two MPs to campaign for the provision of a direct rail service to London.

“Today’s announcement is extremely welcome and will provide improved sustainable transport links and connecting local businesses to London and the South East.”