Office of Rail and Road rejects Shropshire to London train plans

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has rejected a proposal by Wrexham Shropshire & Midlands Railway to introduce four daily return services between Wrexham, Shropshire, and London Euston. The regulator also turned down separate applications for services connecting Rochdale and Blackpool to London.

The ORR cited concerns regarding the capacity of the West Coast Main Line, stating that the network is already under significant pressure. According to Stephanie Tobyn, the ORR’s director of strategy, policy and reform, adding more trains could reduce the network's ability to recover from disruptions, potentially increasing delays and cancellations for all passengers.

Local representatives expressed significant disappointment. Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley, who led the campaign, noted that Shropshire remains the only English county without a direct train to London and estimated the service could have added £9 million annually to the regional economy. David Chadwick, the Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Radnorshire, also criticized the decision, arguing that capacity constraints should not be used to hinder economic growth and connectivity in Wales.