A NORTH WALES MS says that plans to introduce trains running from Wrexham to London are 'essential' to helping the city 'continue to attract visitors'.
Earlier this month, the Leader reported that a direct service between the two areas was a step closer to reality following a "very positive" meeting.
The meeting took place between Wrexham Council and the Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway Company Ltd who are proposing an Open Access Service that can get you from Wrexham to the heart of London in three hours.
Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has welcomed the possibility of the route being introduced.
He said it could be essential in helping Wrexham 'continue to attract visitors', as well as supporting locals.
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Mr Rowlands, Chair of the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism, who constantly calls for better rail service in North Wales, said: “I am really delighted to hear that plans for a three hour rail journey from Wrexham to London have moved a step closer. As the city continues to attract visitors from far and wide it really is essential that this sort of public transport is available.
“With the new Labour Government failing to commit to the last Conservative Government’s planned investment in the North Wales mainline it is absolutely vital that everything possible is done to improve rail services for the people in my region.
“Not only will it be great for residents but it will also be another way of encouraging visitors to visit Wrexham and the rest of North Wales.
“I look forward to the proposals becoming a reality.”
Following the recent meeting, a letter from Cllr David A Bithell, Wrexham Council's Deputy Leader with responsibility for strategic transport, in full support of the plans has been sent to the ORR Chief Executive David Larkinson.
The letter outlined that since the last open access service operated in Wrexham the services offered were not fit for purpose with poor reliability, frequent cancellations and a substandard level of services to passengers.
The letter encourages the ORR to endorse the proposals as soon as practical allowing residents and visitors to Wrexham and the wider North Wales region a genuine public transport offer that will meet current demands and ambitions.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard, who endorses the application said, “Residents and visitors to Wrexham deserve a high quality rail service that will serve not only Wrexham but the wider North Wales area.
“I would like to thank WSMR for their valuable time in updating us on their proposals and fully endorse their plans for the future.”
If successful, the new service will create 50 jobs and the first trains should depart in summer 2025.
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