Consultation over Shropshire rail link future

Rail passengers in Shropshire who have been left without a direct service to London have been urged to contact the Department for Transport.

The direct link to London, operated by the Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway, stopped operating last Friday.

Richard Evans, of Virgin Trains, said consultations were being held over the West Coast Rail franchise, which could operate in Shropshire.

Anyone who wanted the link re-instated should contact the government, he said.

The current West Coast franchise, operated by Virgin Trains, finishes in April 2012.

The Wrexham, Shropshire, Marylebone Railway service closed due to falling passenger numbers.

The service had been popular with passengers, achieving a 96% satisfaction rate in a Passenger Focus survey.