Plans for a direct rail route linking Gobowen with London Euston are back on the table.
The Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway Company Limited – part of Alstom Group – has re-applied to the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) to operate services from Wrexham to London Euston via Shrewsbury, Telford, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Nuneaton, just five months after it’s last bid was rejected.
The July bid was built on two years of hard work and having taken on board feedback from the ORR – the independent economic and safety regulator for rail – on capacity and the safety of a number of foot crossings, WSMR has returned with a new bid.
Full details are yet to be published, however WSMR has confirmed that the revised plans include fewer train paths – it is proposing four daily services each way rather than the original five – and including a new stop in Wellington, Shropshire.
Part of the bid plans to utilise train path rights previously operated temporarily by Avanti West Coast services which ran from Chester and Holyhead to London Euston. These rights are due to end this month.
“Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway is committed to delivering the connectivity that communities across Wales and England need and deserve,” said a WSMR spokesperson.
“Our resubmitted application reflects stakeholder feedback and demonstrates how we’ve listened to MPs and regional partners who urged us to reapply.
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“This application differs from our previous submission as it includes requesting fewer train paths and offering an additional stop at Wellington, enhancing connectivity for people in Shropshire.
“By making better use of available capacity – including paths that have been released and remain unused – we aim to strengthen regional links and support economic growth.
“WSMR’s new open access service will provide faster, more convenient travel options for passengers in Wrexham, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford, Walsall and beyond, improving access to jobs, education and leisure opportunities. We remain committed to introducing this service for the regions we serve and delivering benefits for communities along the route.”
The resubmission of the proposals – which intends to use train paths vacated by Avanti West Coast has been welcomed by Wrexham County Borough Council.
“Wrexham Council has continued to support improvements to rail services and it is now a priority to improve links to the Midlands and London Euston,” said Cllr David Bithell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Strategic Transport.
“Following positive discussions with WSMR we fully support their new application. The investment in Wrexham as a place and the success of Wrexham Football Club provides real opportunities to build major transport links to support the city’s aspirations.
“The Department for Transport has previously supported the application. The council will now lobby all our MPs and MS’ and will meet WSMR to help secure these vital services.
“Wrexham is a thriving and growing city and new rail services not only create jobs and growth but support the need for better connectivity to the Midlands and London Euston.
The news was also welcomed by Wrexham Council Leader Cllr Mark Pritchard.
“This is an exciting time for Wrexham as a city,” he said “Direct rail services to London Euston not only provide better rail services but investment opportunities for Wrexham and the wider region.”
