Extra train service to boost region’s economy

You are viewing content from Sunshine Radio Ludlow. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Thursday, 23 May 2019 15:45

By Andrew Morris - Local Democracy Reporter

© Copyright Gordon Cragg and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

An extra hourly train between Shrewsbury and Birmingham will open up the county to new business and tourists, it has been claimed.

An additional hourly service by West Midlands Railway calling at Wellington, Telford, Shifnal, Cosford and Wolverhampton will now operate during off-peak hours on Mondays to Saturdays.

A new hourly Sunday service between Birmingham and Shrewsbury has been introduced calling at all stations between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury.

Trains to Shrewsbury are set to continue to depart Birmingham until about 10.30pm on weekdays and 11pm on Saturdays.

And Mark Barrow, Shropshire Council’s director of place, has hailed the move, saying it will be a huge boost to the county.

He said: “I can’t emphasise enough what fantastic news this is for Shrewsbury and the whole of Shropshire.

“It allows us to open the opportunities for people to come and enjoy Shropshire and see what it is all about.

“A more frequent service plays into exactly what we are trying to do in Shropshire by showcasing what we have and supporting businesses.

“Shrewsbury has 6.2 million people living within an hour and a half of it and we want more day visitors, this feeds into all of that.

“If we can use this to get more of those people coming here then it supports everything we are doing to support businesses in the county.”

Mr Barrow said it ties in with efforts being made across the authority to boost businesses, ranging from installing better broadband across the county and bidding to be one of the first region’s to welcome 5G mobile internet connection.

He said: “There is a lot going on across the county in terms of what we can do to support businesses.

“Some 90 per cent of businesses in the county employ fewer than 10 people and we need the infrastructure in place to support them.”

More from Local News

Today's Weather

  • Ludlow

    Light rain shower

    High: 12°C | Low: 3°C

Like Us On Facebook