Assurances Sought Over London Rail Link

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has written to the Transport Minister to seek assurances over direct links between his constituency and London.

The letter comes following the announcement that Virgin Trains have won an extension to their franchise for the West Coast Main Line until December 2012.

Mr Lucas met with a representative from Virgin Trains earlier this week, and is concerned that the way the government has set out the terms of the franchise leaves a direct Wrexham to London service unprotected.

In his letter to Transport Minister Theresa Villiers, Mr Lucas states: “I understand that, although the invitation to tender for the franchise stated that bidders must provide at least the current level of service, the Wrexham-London service is an exception because it was not included in the original 1997 Virgin Trains bid.

“I do not want this particular service to miss out on future track improvements, or to face the reduction or withdrawal of services.

“I met with Virgin Trains only this week, and they could give me no assurances that the Wrexham-London line would not face the reduction and withdrawal of services.”

Mr Lucas stressed that there were no immediate threat to the line but added that he wanted assurances from Ministers that Wrexham would not miss out.

He said: “We have already lost one direct link to London with the closure of the Wrexham to Marylebone service. Losing further services would hit Wrexham hard and there is no guarantee the status quo will be maintained.

“With the new franchise coming up, the Minister has a chance to ensure links between Wrexham and London are protected and I do hope she will take the opportunity.”