Telford misses out on electrification in rail funding blow
Telford has missed out on electrification and faster, more frequent train services after Network Rail today confirmed its £37.5 billion spending plans up to 2019.
The plan to invest in tracks and electrification will allow trains to take an extra 225 million passengers per year from 2014 to 2019.
But Telford has not been included in the scheme by Network Rail – leading to fears it could affect plans for a direct rail link to London which is due to be brought in next year.
The only investment in Shropshire will be signalling improvements between Newport, South Wales, and Shrewsbury, which are due to be carried out by 2017.
Telford & Wrekin Council bosses have described the announcement as 'disappointing', and have pledged to lobby for improvements on the line between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton which serves the town.
Council chiefs are also set to meet with representatives of Virgin Trains this month to discuss plans for a direct rail link to the capital.
Under the nationwide plans almost £1 billion will be spent making changes to routes through Wales, including electrifying the London Paddington to Swansea and Cardiff Valley lines.
Mike Ion, councillor for College and a rail campaigner, said: "I am disappointed mainly because of the inward investment that electrification would bring to the county."
A council spokesman said: "It is disappointing. We are meeting Network Rail later this month to continue to lobby for improvements.
"We are also meeting Virgin Trains later this month to discuss their plans to introduce a direct rail service to London from 2014."
Wellington town councillor Pat McCarthy said: "We will continue to campaign for a direct line to London."
