Off-peak only trains to capital 'won't bring jobs to Shropshire'

Phil Bennion, Shropshire MEP and Lib Dem transport spokesman, agreed that the plans for Virgin Trains to run a limited service from Shrewsbury to the capital were a "step forward", but he said the county deserved a "proper service".

He called for services at peak times to be brought in to help draw business and industry leaders to the area.

Mr Bennion met with bosses at Virgin Trains to discuss their plans for a direct link between Shropshire and London, which have now been approved by Network Rail.

He has also raised the issue directly with both Lib Dem and Conservative ministers at the Department for Transport.

Off-peak services will start in May next year between London's Euston station and Shrewsbury, with stops expected at Telford and Wellington.

The move is a victory for more than 3,000 people who signed a Shropshire Star petition, which was backed by politicians of all parties and business leaders in the county.

Campaign

Mr Bennion said: "This welcome news of a limited service follows a textbook campaign by the Shropshire Star and effective lobbying by MPs and councillors across all parties.

"It is a step forward, but the county will only get the full benefit in terms of extra jobs and investment with a direct service at peak hours when most people want to travel, especially business people.

"Commuter services to Birmingham also need a dramatic speed-up.

"Shropshire deserves a proper service.

"We need the kind of timetable which will draw business and industry leaders to Telford or Shrewsbury for conferences or even better for siting office or production facilities in the county."

Mr Bennion also urged people in the county to throw their weight behind the controversial HS2 line, claiming that the high-speed link between several of Britain's major cities could also bring several key benefits to Shropshire. HS2 phase 1 would go from London to Birmingham. Phase 2 would add Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester.

He said: "I support HS2 in principle as it will deliver the step change in capacity we need so that other services can use the West Coast Main Line which are currently being kept off it.

"I hope Shropshire rail campaigners will join the debate on high speed rail issue as we could benefit from it indirectly in this way.

"If HS2 is approved, electrification to Shrewsbury becomes a viable option.

"We could then have Pendolinos running a direct hourly service from Shrewsbury to Euston and fast, regular local trains to Birmingham and Coventry. That timetable would make a very persuasive case for Shrewsbury or Telford as a business destination."

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) say that Virgin Trains has been given approval to run two off-peak services from Monday to Friday, with one direct train timetabled for Sunday.