Reduction of services on Chester and Shrewsbury line as part of TfW timetable change branded “unacceptable”

A decision by Transport for Wales to amend the timetable for the Chester to Shrewsbury line has been challenged by a local rail partnership.

In a guest article by the Chester Shrewsbury Rail Partnership for the council’s blog earlier this week, the group say that the decision by TfW will lead to a reduction in the number of trains calling at stations on that route.

Tfw say that it has made a commitment to introduce a new Cardiff-Holyhead service, which will mean that from December it will be unable to accommodate the stops between Shrewsbury and Chester under the new timetable change.

The Chester Shrewsbury Rail Partnership have branded the plans as unacceptable.

The group says that despite any consultation, the hourly service on the line is being reduced in order to accommodate the introduction of a loco hauled service between Cardiff and Holyhead.

This would mean that the 09:25 from Shrewsbury to Chester would no longer operate and passengers would be “forced to wait up to two hours for a train north”.

They add that the: “The 09:25 service is particularly important as it is the first off peak train giving access to cheaper off peak fares for the longer journeys.

“On its return journey the 14.20 service south from Chester will again not stop at all stations. Passengers again would be forced to wait for the following service with a wait of up to two hours.”

Cllr David A. Bithell, lead member for environment and transport and chairman of the Chester Shrewsbury Rail Partnership, said: ‘When we learnt of this proposal we immediately wrote to the Minister Ken Skates and asked for assurances that the base line hourly service on this line would be maintained for all our stations.

“This new franchise, managed by Transport for Wales, is less than 12 months old and we are promised new improved service levels and yet we are expected to accept a reduced service pattern from December.”

He added: “The hourly service was delivered as part of the Arriva Trains Wales franchise and has been well supported by passengers.

“This is the base line service that must not be compromised and we are shocked that such a proposal could be considered.”

However TfW say that it is looking into potential solutions for passengers.

A Transport for Wales spokesperson said: “We have made a commitment to introduce a new Cardiff-Holyhead service departing from Cardiff Central with a total journey time of under 4 hours 30 minutes, using better trains to provide an improved service for our customers.

“To achieve this we are not currently able to accommodate the stops between Shrewsbury and Chester from the December timetable change, due to the impact it will have on other existing services in the area at that time in the morning.

“However, we’re investigating potential solutions to this.

“We’re engaging with local stakeholders to resolve these issues and we’ll provide more details on this soon.”

The service pattern proposed is as follows:

Northbound:-

New express service: Depart Cardiff 0702; Shrewsbury 09.01; Wrexham 09.30; Chester 09.52; Holyhead arrive 11.17.

Service to be withdrawn: Depart Cardiff 07.21; Shrewsbury 09.25; Gobowen 09.43; Chirk 09.48; Ruabon 09.55; Wrexham 10.01; Chester 10.20; Holyhead arrive 12.23.

No departure from Shrewsbury for intermediate stations between 08.25 and 10.25.

Southbound:-

New express service: Depart Holyhead 11.34; Chester 13.16; Wrexham 13.31; Ruabon 13.39; Chirk 13.46; Gobowen 13.51; Shrewsbury 14.17; Cardiff arrive 16.15.

The existing service to Birmingham International departing Chester at 13.30 and stopping at all stations to Shrewsbury would be unaltered.

Service to be withdrawn: – Depart Holyhead 12.32; Chester 14.20; Wrexham 14.34; Ruabon 14.41; Chirk 14.48; Gobowen 14.53; Shrewsbury 15.15; Cardiff arrive 17.16 (continues to Maesteg).

No departure from Chester for intermediate stations between 13.30 and 15.36. Both of those trains to Birmingham International. No through service to Cardiff until 16.21 from Chester.