MP calls on Transport Ministers to boost Wrexham rail services

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has called on UK Transport Ministers to ensure stronger rail links for the area as they examine bids to run services on the West Coast Main Line.

A long-term campaigner for better rail links for Wrexham, Mr Lucas had met with MPs along the route between Birmingham and Wrexham to co-ordinate work to campaign for improvements.

As part of this cross-party work, Mr Lucas has written to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to ask for a direct service between London Euston and Wrexham as part of the franchise requirements.

The Government is currently setting the West Coast Main Line franchise, with the new franchise currently expected to start in 2019 after Ministers extended the current franchise for a year.

Mr Lucas said: “There are a group of MPs from different parties who represent constituencies along the line and we all want to see better services for our constituents.

“One of the ways the Government can help ensure such services is by writing them into the terms of the upcoming franchise – something which would help to guarantee what companies offer.

“That’s why I am pushing for better links for Wrexham to be included, and speaking out now to ensure our transport network has a long-term future.”