Campaigners have condemned a proposal to lose two train services that pass through Gobowen and Chirk.

Transport for Wales wants to amend the timetable for the Chester to Shrewsbury line to introduce a faster service between Cardiff and Holyhead.

As a result the northbound Shrewsbury to Chester service, which sets off at 9.25am and is the first off-peak service of the day, would be lost, along with the southbound 2.20pm service.

But the Chester Shrewsbury Rail Partnership has said the change is unacceptable and would leave passengers with a two-hour wait.

Councillor David A. Bithell, lead member for Place - Environment and Transport at Wrexham County Borough Council, and chairman of the Chester Shrewsbury Rail Partnership said: "When we learnt of this proposal we immediately wrote to the Assembly Member Ken Skates and asked for assurances that the base line hourly service on this line would be maintained for all our stations.

"This new franchise, managed by Transport for Wales, is less than 12 months old and we are promised new improved service levels and yet we are expected to accept a reduced service pattern from December."

He added "The hourly service was delivered as part of the Arriva Trains Wales franchise and has been well supported by passengers. This is the base line service that must not be compromised and we are shocked that such a proposal could be considered."

Transport for Wales took over the franchise in October 2018.

The proposed withdrawn northbound service currently stops at: Depart Cardiff 0702; Shrewsbury 09.01; Wrexham 09.30; Chester 09.52; Holyhead arrive 11.17.

The proposed withdrawn southbound service currently stops at: Depart Holyhead 12.32; Chester 14.20; Wrexham 14.34; Ruabon 14.41; Chirk 14.48; Gobowen 14.53; Shrewsbury 15.15; Cardiff arrive 17.16 (continues to Maesteg).