Virgin Trains submit plans for direct Shrewsbury – London service

Shropshire businesses, visitors and residents could soon take advantage of a new direct rail service to London, if a proposal from Virgin Trains is approved by the Department for Transport, Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation.

On Friday 1 February 2013 representatives from Shropshire Council, Telford and Wrekin Council and Shropshire Business Chamber met with Virgin Trains’ Chief Operating Officer, Chris Gibb, and their Communications Director, Arthur Leathley, to discuss the proposal for a direct rail service to London from Shrewsbury and Telford, and vice versa.

Virgin was awarded a 23-month contract to operate the West Coast Franchise by the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, following a successful legal challenge.  In a statement to Parliament, the Minister stressed that a direct Shrewsbury to London service should be part of Virgin’s proposals during this interim period.

These have now been tabled by Virgin Trains, but as already stated will need the approval of the Department for Transport, Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation, who will review Virgin Trains’ proposal in the next two months.

Keith Barrow, leader of Shropshire Council, warmly welcomes the proposal, saying:

“I am thrilled to hear Virgin Trains’ proposal. We are actively committed to smoothing out the transport links in and out of our county, as well as within it, and we hope the Department for Transport, Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation allow us to take this proposal from here to reality.”

Chairman of the Shropshire Telford Marches Strategic Rail Group (STMSRG), Mansel Williams, said: 

“The STMSRG will be urgently writing to the Office of Rail Regulation to express the full support of the region’s councils and business chambers for the Virgin Trains application.  We will continue to work with the rail industry to achieve our long term aim of a regular interval service being included in the West Coast Main Line Franchise in 2015.”

Dr Geoffrey Davies, chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which is a member of the Strategic Rail Group, today welcomed Virgin’s proposal:

“I’m delighted to see that Virgin has responded to our repeated pleas that a direct rail service from Shropshire to London be included in its proposals for the operation of the West Coast Franchise.

“If approved, this service from London Euston to Shrewsbury and vice versa would be a real boost not only to 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 in the Marches and create the sustainable jobs which are so urgently needed.”

Hilda Rhodes, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet member for transport and community protection, said:

“The Virgin Trains proposal to establish direct rail services from Shrewsbury and Telford are extremely positive.  We are delighted that the proposals include both Wellington and Telford and, if approved, would provide a welcomed new transport route that would help to boost our local economy.  We are committed to working with the rail industry to help deliver this service.”

The proposed route could be active from December 2013, and would cut journey times from Shrewsbury to London Euston and vice versa down to only 2 hours 12 minutes. Virgin Trains have proposed a running both a Monday to Saturday service, and a Sunday service.

Mondays to Saturdays an early morning and mid-afternoon departure from Shrewsbury are part of the plans, while trains leaving London are planned for late morning and early evening.  On Sundays there would only be one departure from Shrewsbury and one departure from London Euston, at as-yet unspecified times.  The proposed services will call at Wellington, Telford Central, Stafford and Rugby.