MPs and regional leaders from around the Welsh Marches are meeting in Westminster today, Tuesday, 5 September at 11 am as part of their campaign for improvements to be made to road and rail links in Shropshire and the neighbouring areas.
The meeting, to be chaired by Helen Morgan MP, will bring together local MPs including Lucy Allan and Simon Baynes, local businesses and councils, the Welsh Government, Network Rail, and Midlands Connect.
Last February Midlands Connect released a report that proposed upgrades to road and rail links in Shropshire and Herefordshire into Wales, including the speed and frequency of rail services, upgrading the A5 and A49, and building the Pant – Llanymynech bypass. It also called for Government support for upgrades to the Birmingham to Shrewsbury rail line, as it is the ‘gateway' to the Marches and Mid and West Wales.
As a result of the Union Connectivity Review in August 2022, Midlands Connect submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case to improve journey times between Birmingham and Shrewsbury on the corridor by increasing the line between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton to 90 mph.
Among Midlands Connect's proposals are:
The Chester to Shrewsbury rail line:
- Faster and a more frequent trains, with better direct connections between Telford and Chester.
- Reviewing accessibility to train stations.
The Welsh Marches rail line :
- Reduce journey times between Hereford and Cardiff to less than 60 minutes.
- Cross-border integration of buses so that Herefordshire residents can access trains at Abergavenny, which is closer than Hereford.
- Additional stations between Hereford and Abergavenny to better servce rural communities along the Herefordshire/Monmouthshire border.
The Heart of Wales Line:
- Faster and more frequent trains, and better interchange facilities at Shrewsbury.
- Integrating bus and rail for rural communities along the line.
The Cambrian line:
- Reduce journey times and maintain direct services to Birmingham, and have better connections at Shrewsbury.
Helen Morgan MP has also personally invited residents and campaigners looking to reconnect Oswestry and Baschurch to the rail line to join the discussion make the case in Westminster. This will feed the potential upgrades into the broader proposals for transport upgrades in the Marches.
Helen Morgan MP said: “Residents are really crying out for upgrades to rail and road links, from the Llanymynech bypass to bus services and getting trains back in Oswestry and Baschurch.
“I'm delighted to support local campaigners as they make the case for improvements directly in Westminster.
“It is rural areas like North Shropshire that are hit hardest by the lack of decent transport links.
“If we want to improve access to healthcare and jobs, and combat rural isolation, the government must join with campaigners and act on this.”
Maria Machancoses, CEO for Midlands Connect added: “The meeting today is to get everyone ‘all aboard' on the plans for rail and road upgrades in the Marches. We are bringing together politicians and the Welsh government to discuss and debate the proposals and try and find a way forward.
“Bringing the plans to Westminster should, I hope, put us on the right track for the next stage of work.”
