Number of direct Wrexham to London rail services could treble next year
Politicians raise hopes that the exisiting Shrewsbury to London link could be extended to Wrexham and Gobowen by December 2016
Hopes have been raised that direct rail services between Wrexham and London could be trebled by the end of next year.
Politicians have held “positive” talks with Virgin Trains about extending the Shrewsbury to London service to include Wrexham and Gobowen.
There is one daily direct return from Wrexham to the English capital, going via Chester, while there are two direct services running to and from Shrewsbury.
Wrexham MP Ian Lucas said it would be a “tight timescale” to get the extra services in place by December 2016, but all efforts would be made to achieve it.
He along with Clwyd South MP Susan Ellen Jones and North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson met with Virgin Rail representatives this week.
Mr Lucas told the Daily Post: “It would not only be helpful to businesses and travellers generally but for getting people to North Wales from London.
“It’s a tourist line. We’ve suggested this to Virgin and they’re investigating the matter further.
“The timetable could be changed by December 2016 but we would have to move very quickly and have proposals in by March.
“It’s a tight timescale but we can only try. It’s a very busy line and it’s getting busier so we need to create extra capacity.”
If they are unable to meet the deadline to extend the services by the end of next year, Mr Lucas says the case would be put forward as part of the deal with the new franchise for the West Coast Main Line.
Virgin Trains has an agreement in place to operate the line until September 2017.
A meeting between the three politicians and Virgin Trains – as well as Network Rail and Arriva Trains Wales – to discuss the potential extension of the service will be held at Gobowen railway station on January 8.
A Virgin Trains spokesman: “The response to our direct services between Shropshire and London has exceeded all expectations.
“It’s been overwhelming which is why we are more than happy to explore options with all interested parties that allows us build on this success subject of course to a full evaluation of the challenges they present.”
