MP Slams “Chaotic Mismanagement” Of West Coast Main Line

A ‘chaotic’ decision to extend Virgin Trains’ West Coast Main Line services will hit Wrexham at the expense of other parts of the county.

That is the view of Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, who has reacted with anger at Government proposals for a direct service to Shrewsbury, without an equivalent service for Wrexham.

The original franchise process for the West Coast Main line fell apart in October after it was discovered officials had made mistakes in their calculations over the £5 billion process. A damning report, released yesterday (click here to read it) , has attacked the Department for its handling of the affair.

Shortly before the report was released, it was announced Virgin Trains had been awarded an extension to their franchise. The extension will run for just under two years, but could be shortened by changing circumstances.

Mr Lucas said “The current situation means two more years of lost infrastructure investment and two more years of uncertainty for all involved. Importantly, despite Virgin having previously put forward a Wrexham to London direct service three times a day, today’s Commons statement by the Transport Secretary mentioned a direct link for Shrewsbury – much praised by its local Tory MPs – but no improvement for Wrexham.”

“The chaotic mismanagement of the West Coast Main Line means there will be little change for Wrexham commuters for at least two more years thanks to today’s stop-gap solution. The West Coast Main line is a multi-billion pound infrastructure project, yet the Government’s last-minute, temporary solutions would disgrace the back of a cigarette packet. The entire operation is a disaster and the Government has been rightly condemned in today’s report.”