Direct rail service to London to start this month

Shropshire County Council has welcomed the decision by Wrexham and Shropshire to start their direct rail service to London from Monday 28 April.

The new service will start with the full timetable of five trains each way on Mondays to Fridays, with four trains each way on Saturdays and three on Sundays.

Based from Wrexham, the new trains will call at Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford and Wolverhampton, then will call at Tame Bridge Parkway (for Walsall) and Banbury before running non-stop to London's Marylebone station.

Wrexham and Shropshire intend to offer a high-quality service at competitive ticket prices, and will announce their range of fares shortly.

John Everall, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: "We have long campaigned for a quality direct rail service from Shropshire to London, and are pleased that Wrexham and Shropshire have finally announced they are to commence this service.

"It is indeed good news for residents and businesses within the county and surrounding areas. This finally puts Shropshire firmly on the rail map.

"There is now a wonderful opportunity not only to travel in style direct to the capital, but also to encourage business and tourism from London and the south east to come direct to Shropshire."

For further details of the services offered, people can visit the company's website on this page or call on 020 7025 7522.

3 April 2008