Bid to save Wrexham & Shropshire rail link

Telford MP David Wright today raised the loss of Shropshire's direct rail link to London in Parliament as county politicians united to try to save it.

Mr Wright urged Minister of State for Transport Theresa Villiers to meet with MPs over the issue as he told her how valued the service was to people living in the county.

His comments to the Minister in the Commons came as Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski said he would be appealing to the Department for Transport to secure a future for the service.

It is set to finish tomorrow after a shock announcement from train company Wrexham & Shropshire.

The only way of saving it is by getting another operator to take on the franchise.

Mr Wright said: "The transport questions were being asked in the House today and I went into the chamber and raised the issue of the sad demise of the service.

"I told her people value the service because it is a direct link with London and the staff working for Wrexham & Shropshire are excellent.

"I asked the minister if she would meet with MPs from Shropshire and she said she would be happy to. I am hoping we can set that up as soon as possible and I am keen to sit down with her to find a direct route from Shropshire to London."

Mr Kawczynski said MPs and council chiefs were battling to get the direct route included in the West Coast Mainline franchise, due to be re-tendered soon.

The Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard added: "It's now important that other train operators seriously consider a direct rail service to London to fill the gap."

Because Arriva Trains Wales is run by the same company as Wrexham & Shropshire — German state railway company DB Schenker - it is unlikely to step in to replace the service.

Virgin Trains said they did not have the rolling stock to get involved.

By John Kirk and Jason Lavan