'Much to do': Telford MP Lucy Allan demands better rail service for borough
Telford MP Lucy Allan has demanded better rail services for the borough.
Ms Allan met rail operators in a bid to increase capacity on its routes to Birmingham.
She says the line is beset with overcrowding and that trains run at inconvenient times.
Ms Allan has said there is "much to do" to ensure that Telford gets the best service as it continues to expand.
Work is already ongoing by Telford & Wrekin Council to improve the borough's road network, with more big businesses and housing developments moving in.
But Ms Allan said residents deserve a better service on public transport.
Arriva Trains Wales' deal for the Wales and the Borders is due for renewal next year and train operators are working on bids to run the service in future.
Ms Allan met the company yesterday to discuss her concerns over connectivity and capacity in the train service from Telford to Birmingham.
She said: “I was pleased to the have the opportunity to make Telford’s case on the need to for more capacity and for better scheduling of the timetable.
“The new franchise is a real opportunity for us to ensure Telford gets the services it is needs and that we are not forgotten about.
“We have long suffered severe overcrowding on the Telford to Birmingham route particularly at peak hours. We also have the inconvenient scheduling of trains, with a 50-minute gap between trains, and then two trains running closely together.
“I am really pleased we have been able to secure the extra train per hour starting in December 2018, but there is much more to do to ensure we have the rail infrastructure Telford needs to support our rapidly growing community.
“We need to address the problems with the Sunday timetable as people need reliable transport for both work and leisure on a Sunday.
“It’s really important that the three train operators on this route work together to ensure that Telford gets the service it needs. We are an important contributor to the West Midlands Economy.
“Getting Telford better connected is essential for Telford’s future success – business jobs and growth depend upon it. We now have a great opportunity to get this right for the future and we must not let this opportunity pass us by.”
Earlier this month West Midlands Trains Ltd – a joint venture between Dutch company Abellio, and Japanese duo East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co – was awarded the rights to the West Midlands railway network from later this year.
It will take over the rights from London Midland in December.
The new operator has promised to invest £1 billion in the network, including new carriages and additional services to alleviate congestion on a variety of lines.
That includes the promise of an additional service per hour between Birmingham and Shrewsbury by the end of next year, doubling the number of West Midlands network trains running between Shropshire and the Second City.
