Shropshire Chamber of Commerce backs rail service to London

The chamber sent a large delegation to London as part of a campaign with Wrexham Shropshire & Midlands Railway (WSMR).

The proposed service would operate from Wrexham to London Euston, calling at Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford Central, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Nuneaton.

Ruth Ross, chief executive of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "We have long identified that one of the key barriers to growth in Shropshire is the lack of a transport infrastructure which is fit for purpose in terms of both road and rail.

"We raised this very point when we met with representatives of the British Chambers of Commerce’s policy team at our Telford offices just a few weeks ago.

"It’s not just the convenience for business commuters – but the reputational damage to our county which the current lack of a direct link causes when we are trying to attract potential inward investors."

Staff, directors, patrons and members, including Councillor Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for transport and economic growth, joined more than 100 people on the special WSMR-commissioned train, which called at all the stations on the proposed new route.

Along the route, MPs joined the journey and presented petitions and letters of support to the doors of 10 Downing Street.

The delegation also raised a WSMR banner outside the Houses of Parliament to demonstrate the strength of support for the campaign.

Ms Ross said: "Businesses need fast, reliable and frequent transport connections which allow the county to trade on a level playing field to both national and international audiences.

"We fully endorse the WSMR campaign, and hope the strength of feeling was clear from the volume of businesses who took time out of their schedules to take part in the London trip.

“The current lack of a direct rail service can only be detrimental to the ability of the Shropshire business community to generate economic growth for our region.”