Union Supports Campaign To Save Wrexham, Birmingham & Shrewsbury Rail Services

Transport union RMT is joining forces with rail users in a bid to help save services between Wrexham and Birmingham and Shrewsbury.

A campaign is now under way to protect the train services which are believed to be under threat. RMT and the Shrewsbury to Chester Rail Users Association (SCRUA), which has represented the travelling public using the line since 1986 understands 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.

Yesterday Wrexham.com reported that pressure to save a the rail link between Wrexham and Birmingham is mounting, with fears that the morning service could be axed in Arriva Trains Wales new timetable.

However the SCRUA campaign group states the 0747 from Wrexham calls at Ruabon, Chirk, and Gobowen and provides an important direct service for commuters and students from NE Wales to the West Midlands and Birmingham Airport.

It is now being proposed that the Holyhead to Cardiff ‘Premier’ express service, which currently runs non-stop between Wrexham and Shrewsbury, should stop additionally at Ruabon, Chirk and Gobowen.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT stands shoulder to shoulder with the SCRUA users group in their fight to save services that are currently threatened by Arriva Trains Wales and we are calling on the company to back off. We know that this campaign also enjoys high profile political support and the union will be looking to maximise that through our own contacts.

“The train company needs to listen to the rail users and the staff and pull back from these ill-conceived plans before lasting damage is done to highly-valued and important services.”

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.

Mr Roberts said: ““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.

“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.”

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