Wem has hopes of being a direct London rail link stop

Members of Wem Town Council said plans put forward by Virgin Trains to reinstate a direct rail link between the county and London could see the route travel through Wem.

Councillor Edward Towers said he has held a meeting with a representative from Virgin Trains who indicated the train could stop in Wem if the town's station is suitable.

Councillor Towers said: "A Virgin Trains rep has indicated they are looking at starting a service from Crewe via Shrewsbury and possibly calling at Whitchurch and Nantwich.

"I asked about Wem. Wem is an area that interests them but it would only be possible if our train station could cope with five carriage trains and they are looking to see if councils will help with the expense if changes need to be made.

"It has been recommended Wem is included. I would support this subject to cost. But I think we should raise the issue that Wem is seriously keen to be part of this."

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• See www.shropshirestar.com/rail

Bosses at Virgin Trains hope to get the direct link up and running by May next year, after the operator's hopes of restarting the service this December were vetoed by Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation.

Shropshire has been without a direct rail link to London since 2011, when the Wrexham & Shropshire service to London Marylebone ended.

Travellers wanting to go to London from the county currently have to change at either Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton or Crewe.

Members of Wem Town Council, who met in Edinburgh House last night, were unclear whether the town's train station could cope with a five carriage train of whether it was restricted to trains with only four carriages.

Councillor Paul Johnson said: "I think it is an excellent idea if the train can stop in Wem but we have to look at the possibility of increasing the platform length.

"I think any town would love to be a part of this. It's just how much it would cost and where the money would come from."

More than 2,500 people have now signed a petition started by the Shropshire Star calling for the direct link to be reinstated.

Councillor Chris Mellings said the most important thing is that Shropshire gets the service.

He said: "A direct link will be great for the county. Even if it does not stop in Wem it will still benefit Shropshire."

Members agreed to write to rail bosses confirming they would like Wem to be included in any talks regarding the route.