MPs Call For Improvement To Wrexham Rail Links

Two North Wales MPs have held a top-level meeting at the Department of Transport to push for improvements to rail services in the region.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas and Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones spoke after meeting representatives of the Department for Transport in London to discuss the West Coast Main line and potential changes to the franchise to the line.

They want to see changes made to the franchise which would help guarantee rail services between Wrexham and London and benefit passengers from both the Wrexham and Clwyd South constituencies.

During the meeting, the MPs told Transport Minister Teresa Villiers that rail companies who want to be awarded the franchise for the West Coast Main Line should have to promise more direct links between Wrexham and London.

The number of direct links has already reduced after the closure of the independent Wrexham and Shropshire service.

Speaking after the meeting, Susan Elan Jones MP said: “Changing the franchise arrangements would help ensure that whoever ran services on the line would be obliged to ensure a decent service for North Wales rail users. At the moment, there is nothing in the franchise which protects a Wrexham to London service.”

And Ian Lucas MP added: “All we are asking for is an even handed approach from the government.

“We think North Wales deserves better and we will continue to push both the Transport Minister and the Welsh Secretary to stand up for our rail services.”