MP’s and regional leaders gathered in Westminster earlier this week to call for improvements to road and rail links across the Welsh border, including the Pant and Llanymynech bypass.

The event was chaired by Helen Morgan MP who brought together other MP’s such as Telford MP Lucy Allan and former Mayor of Llanfyllin, now MP for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes.

They were joined by local businesses and councils, with the Welsh Government, Network Rail and Midlands Connect.

Ms Morgan highlighted the need for upgrades, particularly on the Shropshire/Powys border.

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She said: “Residents are really crying out for upgrades to rail and road links, from the Llanymynech bypass to bus services and getting trains back in Oswestry and Baschurch.

“I’m delighted to support local campaigners as they make the case for improvements directly in Westminster.

“It is rural areas like North Shropshire that are hit hardest by the lack of decent transport links.

“If we want to improve access to healthcare and jobs, and combat rural isolation, the government must join with campaigners and act on this.”

The North Shropshire MP also invited residents and campaigners looking to reconnect Oswestry and Baschurch to the rail line to join the discussion make the case in Westminster as part of what she hoped would be a way to feed the potential upgrades into the broader proposals for transport upgrades in the Marches.

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In February 2023, Midlands Connect released a report proposing a series of upgrades to the road and rail links in Shropshire and Herefordshire into Wales looking at increasing the speed and frequency on rail lines and upgrading the A5, A49 and delivering the Pant and Llanymynech bypass.

Midlands Connect also proposed that the UK Government support upgrades to the Shrewsbury rail line as the “gateway” to the Marches and Mid and West Wales.

Maria Machancoses, CEO for Midlands Connect added: “The meeting today is to get everyone ‘all aboard’ on the plans for rail and road upgrades in the Marches. We are bringing together politicians and the Welsh government to discuss and debate the proposals and try and find a way forward.

“Bringing the plans to Westminster should, I hope, put us on the right track for the next stage of work.”