Fears Wrexham To Birmingham Commuter Service Could Be Axed

Pressure to save a commuter rail link between Wrexham and Birmingham is mounting, with rail users seeking clarity over the future of the service.

Calls are being made to save the 0747 Wrexham to Birmingham rail service, with fears that the service could be axed from Arriva Trains Wales’ upcoming timetable.

A petition calling for the service to be saved has been set up by the Shrewsbury to Chester Rail Users Association (SCRUA), who state they understand: “That the current franchise holder, Arriva Trains Wales, is investigating plans to axe the 0747 Wrexham to Birmingham rail service from the timetable from May 2015. Also facing the chop is understood to be the 0700 from Shrewsbury which arrives in Wrexham at 0739.”

Concerns over the future of the service were raised in the Senedd by Assembly Member Aled Roberts last week, who asked the Minister if she would intervene to overturn the decision of Arriva Trains Wales to propose the withdrawal of the service from Wrexham to Birmingham in May when a new timetable will come into force. This train also serves Ruabon and Chirk.

The Minister, Edwina Hart, said that she recognises the importance of train timings for people to carry out their business and her comments were welcomed by Mr Roberts.

Speaking about the response Mr Roberts said: “I am pleased that the Minister responded so positively to my question. We managed to get Arriva Trains Wales to reverse an earlier consultation proposal to withdraw a direct train link from Llandudno to Manchester and I hope that, with the support of people in Wrexham, Ruabon and Chirk, we will be able to get the withdrawal of this proposal.

“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. It’s 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.”

Mr Roberts added: “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.

“I do worry that North East Wales is being ignored by Cardiff-based planners in Arriva Trains Wales who seem determined to cut commuting trains into England – they should be introducing more commuting trains, not fewer.”

Lead Member for Environment and Transport for Wrexham Council, Councillor David. Bithell welcomed the questions posed by Mr Roberts.

Cllr Bithell said: “We hope she recognises the importance if rail in Wrexham and makes a speedy decision to support public transport. Cutting services would be a backwards step. We should be increasing services not reducing them.”

The final plans for Arriva Train Wales’ 2015 transport timetable have not yet been finalised.