SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is urging residents and businesses to sign a petition calling for more direct trains between Wrexham and London.
Mr Rowlands, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Chair of the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism wants to see improved transport links for Wrexham.
He said: “I strongly back Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway’s application to introduce direct rail services between Wrexham and London.
“I have written to the Office of Rail and Road to that affect and expressed my support for these routes and to outline the benefits they could deliver.
“I am now urging everyone to sign the petition as I think it is vital that Wrexham has that important connectivity with London.
“Wrexham is North Wales’ largest conurbation, and improving rail services into Shropshire, the Midlands and London can only help to boost our local economy.
“We know that the city continues to attract visitors from far and wide so it really is essential that this sort of public transport is available.
“With the UK Labour Government failing to commit to the last Conservative Government’s planned investment in the North Wales mainline it is absolutely vital that everything possible is done to improve rail services for the people in my region.
“Not only would it be great for residents but it would also be another way of encouraging visitors to visit Wrexham and the rest of North Wales.”
The petition calls on the Government, Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road, ORR. to work constructively with WSMR to enable direct trains to London from Wrexham.
Recently the WSMR organised a trip to Downing Street with over 120 stakeholders and interested parties taking the train journey to London with the purpose of highlighting the importance of improved rail connectivity between the Midlands, London, and Wrexham.
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “This is a commercially driven proposal that delivers measurable economic value while strengthening our region’s long-term competitiveness.
“Our meetings with WSMR have been very positive and we are working closely with all stakeholders to turn this exciting proposal into a reality for Wrexham.
“If we get the go ahead, the new line is anticipated to deliver £9m in economic benefits between Wrexham, Shrewsbury and Walsall at no cost to the taxpayer.”
Sign and share the petition supporting new rail services for Wrexham.
