A new report by Midlands Connect has revealed overwhelming support from Shropshire-based businesses and organisations for plans to upgrade the rail line between Shrewsbury, Telford, the Black Country, and Birmingham.
The report highlights how improved rail connections could significantly boost the region's economy, creating jobs, attracting visitors, and opening new markets. The proposed improvements include increasing line speeds to 90mph from the current 75mph as well as outlining future plans for electrification as well as a direct hourly train to London from Shrewsbury.
An open access application was made back in March from the operator Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR) proposing five trains per day running in each direction from the capital through to Wrexham which would run on the Shrewsbury-Wolverhampton line.
The move for an open-access application followed on from the decision of Avanti West Coast to stop running direct services to Shrewsbury in June of this year.
Midlands Connect believes the line speed improvements from 75mph to 90mph would be achieved with minor alterations in two sections as well as signalling upgrades.
Local MPs and council leaders have also voiced their support for the plans, emphasising the importance of rail investment for the region's economic growth and prosperity. Shaun Davies, MP for Telford, said, "By investing in the Birmingham to Telford to Shrewsbury rail line, we would lay the groundwork for a more integrated and prosperous regional economy."
Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council, added, "Boosting line speeds on this important route is vital to fulfil Shropshire's economic growth potential."
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, expressed confidence in the project's ability to restore business confidence. She said, "We strongly feel these plans for line speed improvements between Birmingham and Shrewsbury would help to restore business confidence in local rail. However, we will continue to champion the need for direct, regular trains to London as well as electrification.”
Midlands Connect has long campaigned for improvements to the line, including publishing its Rails to Recovery report in 2021 which proposed electrification of the line which it believed could generate up to £500 million of benefits to the region.
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