Push starts for peak time direct-link trains from Shropshire to London

Virgin Trains' direct link between Shrewsbury and London via Telford and Wellington is set to launch next spring.

The train would leave Shrewsbury 4.03pm on week days and arrive in London Euston at 6.32pm. However, the next direct service back to the county leaves London Euston at 11.33am and arrives in Shrewsbury at 1.50pm.

The Sunday service will leave Shrewsbury at 4.03pm and arrive into Euston at 6.33pm. But the return service leaves Euston seventeen minutes later, at 6.50pm, arriving in Shrewsbury at 9.39pm.

The direct link, which came after a campaign backed by the Shropshire Star, has been welcomed by council chiefs and business leaders. But they were critical about the proposed times, insisting that a direct link was needed to get passengers into the capital for early morning meetings.

Richard Sheehan, chief executive of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Whist we've very pleased to have got a direct line, it is vitally important that the timetable supports the business community to make the service viable.

"Most business people are looking to get to a meeting in London at 9am or 10am and looking to leave at 5pm or 7pm.

"Common-sense must prevail to make the service financially viable. They need to be mindful of what the business people need in this instance.

"It seems a lot of lobbying is necessary to achieve a long-term, sustainable service."

Mr Sheehan's comments were echoed by Telford MP David Wright and Telford & Wrekin Council leader, Kuldip Sahota.

Mr Wright said: "If these timings are confirmed I'm very disappointed. I would've preferred a train up and down during peak times which would better serve the business community. We're going to have to press very for the service to be expanded.

"I am worried that with these times they might claim lack of usage and stop it altogether."

Councillor Sahota said Virgin and Network Rail had to work together to find an alternative.

He said: "I think they ought to have another look at the timetable. We want a train getting in at 9am so that businessmen can do their bit and then get back home for 6pm or 7pm.

"We've got to have a train which gets people in at a sensible time. I'm glad at least something is on the table, but there is plenty of room for improvement."

Virgin Trains said that the proposed times were the only ones offered by Network Rail, which controls the tracks.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: "We put in our request and they came back with the plan. There was nothing available during on-peak."

Councillor Eric Carter, who sits on the Shropshire, Telford and the Marches Strategic Rail Group, said he feared the service could stop altogether if it was not used enough – as was the case when the Shropshire & Mid Wales direct service was scrapped three years ago.

He said: "As a group we wanted to see that direct link brought back so that's a step in the right direction.

"But what worries me with this is that it will be no good for businessmen who want to get to London.

"The service will be well used by people who want to visit London for the weekend, but otherwise the timings are pretty poor.

"What worries me is that Virgin and Network Rail will look at the passenger numbers and at those times it's not going to have the greatest usage."

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said the off-peak times would act as a "real boost for the tourism industry in Shropshire" – but agreed that more work was needed to alter the proposed times.

He also revealed there will be initial talks to get the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury line electrified, which would mean faster travelling times for passengers.

Mr Kawczynski said: "There are going to be a series of electrifications taking place.

"I have spoken to Network Rail and they would be willing to do a feasibility study if that is something we wanted.

"I am going to have discussions with the local authorities in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin and local enterprise partnerships to see if there is any interest."

He added: "I am pleased to have helped secure this initial direct service which will link Shropshire's county town directly with the capital.

"I will be working with Virgin to ensure they submit an acceptable bid to Network Rail, and this is all completed in time for the service to begin in May 2014."