Anger as Wellington left off new Shropshire to London train timetable
Wellington train station may be a stop-off on the new direct rail link between Shrewsbury and London – but not according to printed versions of the new service timetable.
Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard has written to Virgin Trains calling on bosses to rectify the omission on the next set of printed timetables.
Mr Pritchard said: "As someone who worked tirelessly to get Wellington added into the actual train route I am surprised that Wellington train station is not actually printed in the published paper timetable.
"I'm sure this was an innocent oversight and I have written to Virgin Trains' bosses asking them to amend the next printed timetable," he added.
A Virgin Trains spokesman admitted the new timetable is not "fit for purpose" but Wellington Town Councillor Pat Fairclough said: "It's absolutely ludicrous Wellington has been left off.
"Wellington has by far the best free car park of all the stations, making it ideal for any families hoping to travel to London at weekends for a day out.
"It's also the perfect choice during school holidays because of the parking facilities.
"We desperately wanted this link for Shrewsbury, Telford and Wellington to London because it's absolutely vital for families or even business people who want to visit the capital for the day.
"It's good if they are addressing it but you'd have to say it also shows what Virgin thinks of its rural rail links."
A spokesman for Virgin Trains said the pocket timetable only allowed for three stations to be printed on it and admitted it was "not really fit for purpose" for the new service.
He said the timetable team took the "very unfortunate" decision to omit Wellington and vowed it was looking at ways to remedy it with immediate effect.
The spokesman said: "We understand how the pocket timetable might have been misinterpreted.
"We would therefore like to reassure that Wellington is very much part of our plans for the new direct service.
"We will work closely with all concerned to ensure it is a success."
Shropshire's eagerly-awaited direct rail link with London made its weekday debut on December 15 after it took to the tracks with hundreds on board The Wrekin Giant.
The train earned its name from Shropshire Star reader Toni Williams.
The London link, which is the result of a hard-fought campaign backed by the Shropshire Star, stops at Telford and Wellington before arriving at London Euston.
