Proposed Axe Of Two Wrexham Train Services Branded ‘Totally Unacceptable’

Proposals to axe two peak time train services from Wrexham have been branded ‘totally unacceptable’ by a Local Member Rail Group.

From May 2015 it is proposed that the Arriva Trains Wales 07.00 Shrewsbury to Wrexham service and the peak time service at 07.47 from Wrexham General to Birmingham International are both axed.

However the recommendations have faced strong opposition and concerns over losing direct commuter services.

During a meeting last week Wrexham Council’s Local Member Rail Working Group agreed to ‘strongly object’ to the proposals put forward by Arriva Trains Wales.

Councillors heard that many passengers from Wrexham and surrounding towns and villages use this train to access their places of employment or for further education. It also provides direct access to Birmingham International airport and the NEC.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead member for the Environment and Public Protection said: “The proposal by Arriva Trains Wales to remove these services and ask passengers to use an earlier Cardiff service and change and wait at Shrewsbury for a later connection was ‘totally unacceptable.’

“People travelling at this time of the morning have very little alternatives and for some their livelihood will depend on these services. Wrexham Council want more rail services not less.

“It is simply not good enough to try and disrupt the journeys of people who are travelling by public transport to their place of work or for further education.”

The group has written to Arriva Trains Wales and Edwina Hart AM the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport and asked for them to reconsider this proposal. Local Assembly Members will also be sent copies of the letter.

The proposal being put forward is part of a plan to provide the Cambrian Line (Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury) with peak time rail services which currently has a two hourly rail service. It is proposed that the train units used to provide the 07.00 and 07.47 services to and from Wrexham would be transferred to the Cambrian line.

Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, Aled Roberts said: “Following the loss of a direct commuting train service that linked Llandudno and Manchester, I am concerned that North East Wales is being ignored by Cardiff-based planners in the Welsh Government and Arriva Trains Wales.

“The 07.47 train which provides a direct link without any changes between Wrexham and Birmingham is one of our busiest commuter trains serving Telford, Wolverhampton and Birmingham in time for the working day. Its likely replacement will leave about 15 minutes earlier and then wait at Shrewsbury which makes it very inconvenient for those who want to commute using public transport.

“I understand that the train which forms the current 07.47 service to Birmingham is to be transferred to the Cambrian line so that there is a new hourly service from May 2015 linking Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury.”

At a meeting last week between Arriva Trains Wales and Aled Roberts AM, called for a withdrawal of proposals to cut the 7.47 commuter train service from Wrexham to Birmingham which also serves Chirk and Ruabon in May next year.

Regular meetings are to be arranged between Arriva Trains Wales and the Lib Dem Assembly Member for North Wales which hopefully will ensure that local people have plenty of time to make their views known on any proposed changes to timetables next May.