07.12.15
Virgin to consider Shropshire-London rail link extension
With the response to relatively new direct services between Shropshire and London “exceeding all expectations”, Virgin Trains West Coast is keen to explore the possibility of extending services to Gobowen and Wrexham.
According to the Shropshire Star, the operator met with MPs from the region about the taking the four-train-a-day service – which currently calls at Telford, Wellington and Shrewsbury – to Gobowen, which serves the Oswestry area.
Its spokesman, Richard Stanton, said the public response to the link launched in December after the ORR approved routes in September was overwhelming – which is why the company was “more than happy to explore options with all interested parties”.
“We want to build on this success, subject, of course, to a full evaluation of the challenges they present,” he continued.
And according to the paper, this may be already moving forward as the North Shropshire MP, Owen Paterson, prepares to host a meeting at Gobowen station with Network Rail, Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains Wales on 8 January.
Last week, other regional MPs met with Welsh MPs Susan Elan Jones and Ian Lucas and Virgin Rail representatives to discuss options.
Paterson described the meeting as “extremely positive”, with Virgin representatives claiming there was “no reason why the trains could not be extended north and stop in Gobowen and Wrexham”.
“At the moment, the trains wait in Shrewsbury until it is time to return to London. That time could be spent running on the Shrewsbury to Chester line as far as Wrexham,” he added.
“There is a lot of work to do before this becomes a reality. The trains would have to fit into the timetable, platforms would have to be long enough to take the trains and there would need to be a turn-around point in Wrexham.
“There would also have to be talks with Arriva, however I believe that this would not be in competition with Arriva. It would grow the passenger numbers and Arriva could benefit.”