In the latest move to improve connections to and from Wrexham via rail, Andrew Ranger MP has joined representatives from Wrexham County Borough Council, Wrexham AFC, Wrexham University and Coleg Cambria to support the Wrexham Shropshire Midlands Railway (WSMR) bid for a more frequent rail service between Wrexham General and London Euston via Shrewsbury.
A charter train commissioned by WSMR departed from Wrexham General this morning and will stop at stations along the proposed route including Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Wellington and Walsall where MPs, local councillors and stakeholders will be able to join the service. Ultimately their journey will take them to Westminster. The delegation is travelling to Downing Street to deliver letters supporting the bid directly to the Prime Minister.
WSMR’s revised bid includes fewer train paths and is proposing four daily services each way from Wrexham to London Euston and back. Part of the bid plans to utilise train path rights previously operated temporarily by Avanti West Coast services which ran from Chester and Holyhead to London Euston.
Andrew Ranger MP explained,
“I have been behind this bid since the start, and I am pleased to be part of today’s charter train to take our case straight to the heart of Government. WSMR’s revised bid will connect Wrexham with London but also with the West Midlands. These opportunities are vitally important for businesses, tourism and travel for employment and education as well as people visiting family and friends. Wrexham’s cross border rail links are crucial, and cooperation with MPs and stakeholders from the length of this proposed route have got us to this point. The decision rests with the Office for Rail and Road but we will continue to do all we can to support the bid.”
