Council urges rail minister to help restore direct service to London
Shropshire Council’s Leader, and Cabinet member for transport and regeneration, have written to the Minister of State for Rail after the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) again rejected a proposal for a new direct rail service between Wrexham and London – something that had the full support of the council.
In their letter to Lord Hendy, Councillors Heather Kidd and Rob Wilson urge the Department for Transport and Great British Rail to “to leave no stone unturned in exploring every possible option to restore direct rail services between Shropshire and London.”
The letter says:
The recent decision by the Office of Rail and Road to reject, for a second time, the West Midlands and Shropshire Railways (WSMR) proposal is deeply disappointing for our county, our residents and our businesses. While we respect the regulatory process, the outcome cannot be allowed to mark the end of efforts to reconnect Shropshire directly with the nation’s capital.
Shropshire remains the only county in England without a direct rail connection to London. At a time when the Government is rightly focused on economic growth, improving connectivity and unlocking opportunity across the country, this anomaly places our county at a significant disadvantage.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken about delivering “growth in every postcode”. We strongly support that ambition. However, for communities across Shropshire, growth depends upon modern, reliable transport links that connect people to jobs, businesses to markets, and investors to opportunities. Direct services to London would be transformational in helping us achieve these objectives.
The accelerated transition of Avanti West Coast into public ownership and the wider programme of rail reform provide a unique opportunity to review service patterns on the West Coast Main Line and associated routes. We therefore ask that the Department for Transport and Great British Railways actively assess whether future publicly operated services could accommodate direct trains serving Shropshire, either through extensions of existing operations or through the development of new service patterns.
The economic case for enhanced rail connectivity is stronger than ever. Along the M54 corridor, significant growth opportunities are emerging across advanced manufacturing, logistics, defence, energy and technology sectors. These opportunities extend beyond county boundaries and are increasingly being developed through collaborative working with neighbouring authorities and partners.
In particular, the work being undertaken through the Marches Forward Partnership demonstrates the scale of ambition across Shropshire, and beyond into Wales.
Together, we are developing a compelling programme focused on economic growth, housing delivery, infrastructure investment and productivity improvements across one of the country’s most strategically important cross-border growth corridors.
The Government’s housing ambitions also reinforce the need for improved rail connectivity. Shropshire is preparing to accommodate substantial housing growth over the coming years. New homes must be supported by sustainable transport infrastructure that allows residents to access employment opportunities while reducing reliance on private vehicles. Direct and enhanced rail services are a critical part of that vision.
We also draw attention to the significant potential of the proposed Shropshire and Mid Wales Parkway, which enjoys strong regional support and offers the prospect of serving a wider catchment across rural Shropshire and Mid Wales. The parkway presents an opportunity not only to improve connectivity but also to support modal shift, economic development and inward investment. Any future review of direct London services should consider how the parkway could form part of a wider strategy to strengthen rail access across the region.
Shropshire Council is committed to working constructively with Government, Great British Railways, industry partners and neighbouring authorities to develop viable solutions. We are also working closely with the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, recognising that improving connectivity between Shropshire, the West Midlands and London is essential to delivering growth across the wider regional economy.
The case for action is clear. Direct rail services to London would strengthen the economic prospects of Shropshire, support national housing and growth objectives, improve connectivity for rural communities and help realise the Government’s ambition of spreading prosperity beyond our major cities.
We therefore respectfully ask that you instruct officials within the Department for Transport and Great British Railways to examine all available options for restoring direct services between Shropshire and London and to engage with local partners on how this objective can be achieved. Following the second rejection of the WSMR proposal, we must ensure that every avenue is explored and that no stone is left unturned.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter with you further and to work together towards securing a direct rail connection that Shropshire residents, businesses and communities have sought for many years.
