Plans for direct Wrexham to London rail service rejected
The regulator ruled that there is not enough capacity on the West Coast Main Line southern section for the introduction of any of the proposed services.
The Shropshire service was one of three services that were rejected on the grounds of capacity, along with others run by Virgin from Manchester to London, and Lumo NW between Rochdale and the capital.
Stephanie Tobyn, ORR's director of strategy, policy and reform, said: "After thorough assessment of each application, it was clear that there was insufficient capacity to approve any of the services without a serious negative impact on the level of train performance that passengers experience on the West Coast Main Line.
'We recognise the potential advantages of competition on the West Coast Main Line, which is why we approved in 2024 the new London-Stirling services that First Group are due to start operating in 2026.
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"However, it is clear that the southern end of the route requires space in the timetable to provide resilience.
"Additional services within the current timetable structure and planned capacity use would further weaken punctuality and reliability, not just at the south end of the WCML but elsewhere as well.'
The ORR stressed that the decision was not based on finances.
The Shropshire service would be 'open access', meaning it would operate on a commercial basis without government subsidy, and would include stops at Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Telford, Wolverhampton, Darlaston, Walsall, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes.
A spokesperson for Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway said: 'We are extremely disappointed with the Office of Rail and Road's decision to reject our application – the only current application to receive support from the Department for Transport.
"We have spent the past two years demonstrating that capacity and performance concerns can and would be negated by the industry working together to deliver a better railway for passengers. WSMR would have set new standards for how open access operators can and should work alongside nationalised rail services.
'Since our application was submitted in March 2024, we have received overwhelming support from local people, businesses, councillors and MPs, who all recognise the urgent need for this connectivity. We will now urgently seek to reengage with the ORR and determine our next steps regarding the future of this vital passenger service.'
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