General Features

What do you think? Is it just what the county needs or is it a waste of time and money?

mrs m. reynolds
I my self am glad that at last they going to put on a direct train all my children an grandchildren live in shropsire i live in london in winter months it will make it a much easyer trip to see them all

Lou
Great idea - shame the journey time isn't shorter but ends the hassle of changing at Birmingham where you inevitably have to carry your cases up and down stairs to reach another platform which is pretty difficult particularly for my Mother who is a fit 65 year old! With increase of fuel costs, I am looking forward to using this service next week and avoiding the predictable traffic jams of heading back to London on a Sunday.

M Chetta
I travel to London visiing my family, to me a direct line is wonderful no rushing at Birmingham to catch the connection hoping that I am not too late either on the way down or returning. I hope the service will not be overpriced. GREAT

Sam
Its a great idea, I live in London and have many times before when travelling to Telford, I've had to change at Birmingham or Wolverhampton, should have been done sooner!

Linda White
This would be fantastic. I live in London and my Brother lives in Shropshire. It is very difficult for our Mother to make the journey at present and a direct train would be fantastic.

Jenny McMillan
The sooner the better. This is just what Shropshire needs for business, tourism and fun.

P.Roberts
I believe that Shropshire should definitely have a direct rail link with London. In too many areas Shropshire is overlooked. This is the least we should expect. I hope that when the link begins to operate, the people of Shropshire will use the facility as much as possible. It is so much easier and less stressful to go by rail than drive. Lets hope the price of the journey is reasonable

jen
fantastic! at last! long overdue. Great for both ways - introducing more people to the beautiful county of Shropshire and allowing us to travel to the 'big' city. Can't wait. Let's hope the times and fares are publiscised soon.

elizabeth
This is definitely very good news for Shropshire. The current route via Birmingham New Street is disastrous. Let's hope they can eventually improve on the time taken to get to Marylebone.

Brenda
I used to live in Rugby and now live in Oswestry and really miss being able to get to London easily, so to have a direct train will be wonderful. I just hope that the fares are not prohibitive.

Dave
Good news. About time Shropshire has a direct rail link to London. Just need to encourage people to use the trains. The next stage is to try to get the line electrofied and get Virgin operators firmly on the map.

Donna Hamer
I am a regular traveller to London from Shrewsbury and I can honestly say that if the journey time is going to take 3.30 min then I will continue to catch the current services on offer as I do not wish to extend my journey time by up to 40 mins.

anne jarvis
I think it is a great idea as i travel to london and essex at least 4 times a year and as i'm 65 i dont like changing trains and delays or cancelations are an upset if the traind where direct it would help a lot.

Geoff Caswell
I travel on business and cannot understand why the county town ever lost this life line to the capital

mrs bob
this may actually mean ludlow people will venture further than shrewsbury and hereford and understand the outside world.

Chris
This is a good idea, but the service needs to be excellent to win customers from the direct train between Wolverhampton and Euston operated by Virgin Trains. I will try and support this service by using it whenever possible. Lets hope that if we all use the service WSMR will invest into reducing the journey time somehow, whilst keeping prices competitive and trains comfortable. Sounds like a tough task to me, so lets keep our fingers crossed!

Bob Bates
The only worry is will the passenger be hit in the pocket as per usual

Mick Stafford
With Global warming top of the World agenda, we need to get cars off the roads end of story. Efficient rail networks seem to be a good idea to me. If we can have beds, doors,pizzas and burgers direct why not trains?In addition, Londoners can sample a refreshing change to Shaftsbury Avenue from spring 09 onwards when our new theatre opens in Frankwell.We should encourage the local tourist board and businesses to tool up in readiness.A huge well done to WSMR.

Dave
The new rail service is an excellent idea. It will put Shropshire back onto the inter-city rail map and will definitely give a boost to both business and tourism. I'm also pleased that the trains will stop at Wellington and give everyone a chance to enjoy a comfortable and direct journey to London. However, it will be important for everyone in Shropshire to fully support the service.

John Wardle
A great idea and one I supported. Unfortunately the first train to London and the last train from London will not stop at Wellington. If I have to travel some distance by car to get to a station, I may just as well travel to Stafford.

Jack Sutton
Have not been by train for30 years, couldn't give a toss! Prefer to go door todoor in our motor; do whatwe want, when we are ready!

Jean
Cant wait for the service to begin, I do not like the change over at Birmingham or Wolverhampton as is the case at present.

GERARD TIGHE
tHIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT IS LONG OVERDUE AND DESERVES SUCCESS SO LONG AS FARES ARE COMPETITIVE,TRAINS COMFORTABLE AND PUNCTUAL. PARTICULARLY GOOD FOR SHREWSBURY AND NORTH SHROPSHIRE.I DO AGREE THAT IT IS A PITY THAT THE TRAINS CANNOT RUN THROUGH TO CHESTER SINCE SO MANY GOOD CONNECTIONS CAN BE MADE THERE TO NORTH WALES,MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL

Chris Y
It would be great to launch this route. My son travels to and fro from London, and the train change is a bit of a hassle. A direct train must surely be economically viable at the present time. Go for it.

Bill Young
This service, although welcomed in pronciple falls short of the journey times which we all now enjoy through the pendolino service from either West Midlands or Crewe. A commuter from Shrewsbury hoping to arrive in London will have to leave Shrewsbury at 0445hrs as opposed to the current 0525hrs. I fail to see the advantage of this service given the proposed journey time.

Joanna Heathorn
The beauty of Shropshire is that it is slightly remote. Opening up a direct service to London will enable peop;e to travel to Shropshire easily and turn it into yet onother commuter region. Is this what the local people really want?

Miss Gill Brown
My boyfriend lives in Telford and i'm in london but hate the drive and would love it if there was a train that went straight there instead.

Richard N
I am looking to relocate to shropshire and still work in london , so yes it would be an advantage.

dyllis kilby
Excellent idea, please make it happen.

Anna
The county needs it.

E. Flanagan
The proposed service is just what Shrops. needs to upgrade it to a first class county again.

Ana Solis
I believe it would be grate to have a direct daily service from Shrewsbury to London. As we are in 2007, every county would have to count with this service in order to reach the capital in a quick and comfortable way.

Roushna Jain
My family regularly communte from Telford to London and have to keep changing so this would be great!

Dave Stokes
It would a terrific idea.A short journey time to London would make a day out there so much more accessible

Mr Mark Brown
I am London based for my work and i would welcome this new service if it had a late train on a saturday night returning to Wrexham.You could then have a full day in London without having to rush home.

Debra
This is a great idea and would benifit lots of local people.

Tom
I often travel to and from London / Shrewsbury and would love a direct link to make my trip easier. and if it means avoiding the incompetance of virgin trains - even better!

Kat H
I would def use this- I live in South Shropshire, & currently commute to Wolverhampton to get on a train to London, as the times from Wolverhampton allow you to travel to London and back in one business day. (unlike the links from Shrewsbury!) I would definitely use a Shrewsbury to London direct service

Brian Russell
A direct link to London from Shrewsbury would be most welcome, even to avoid travelling on the appauling Central service to Wolverhampton/Birmingham before changing. I have used the Birmingham - Marylebone service, although slower, has been more reliable as far as time-keeping is concerned. Proposed Wrexham - Marylebone route I feel sure will become popular.

Tara Williams
I feel it is definetly a good idea. Its gives people the opportunity to work in London and still live in a superb rural location of Shrewsbury. I would definetly be a regular user.

Alison Kavanagh
Just what we need - i used to use the old service regularly and have endless problems now trying to visit relatives in London!

A. S.
Me and my family would certainly benefit from this new service

Kevin Richards
The proposed direct rail link is an excellent investment in the "right type" of transport and will provide greater access to/from London without having to change at other stations. Connections in themselves are not an issue, but they add so much extra time to journeys as you're at the mercy of the timetable as to whether you will get a quick/long connection.

Naomi Milne
I think this service is essential and should be instigated as soon as possible. No area in UK should be so cut off as the distance to London is not that great. Hopefully trains will run in summer 2007

Mike Platt
It`s a fantastic idea but the operating company needs to think what trains to use! Knowone wants over crowded multiple units,but a comfortable roomy air-con train. Refurbished ex Virgin MK3`s(5 or 6 per train)& an EWS Class 67 which are under used since the end of mail by rail are ideal for this `Inter-City` style service. A modern,fast alternative to dangerous road travel. WSMR take note!

Bland Tomkinson
The new link is a good idea - pity that the tracks through Wolverhampton Low level were torn up! However, wouldn't it make more sense to electrify the line from Crewe to Wolverhampton via Shrewsbury? Extend commuter services from Coventry and Manchester and have a robust diversionary route for Vergin Trains?

harry gray
Yes - more tarins are needed in this semi-rural area. Roads are dangerous with much bad driving and if the Oswestry-Gobowen link is opened that will be a big help.

Sheila Morris
I would really like to see the service brought back (I used it previously) and it would enable me to visit my son in London more regularly and vice-versa.

Mike
At last. A service run by the only company offering clean trains, running on time - and now to serve stations currently without timely, direct service. When can I buy the very keenly priced ticket?

derek lawman
I firmly believe that there is a market for such a service from conversations that I have had with people. I would certainly use it myself on my monthly visit to London. The labour government of the sixties sabotaged the through Birkenhead to London via Chester services, and this new service would go a long way to addressing this act of government vandalism! yours sincerely, Derek Lawman, (Retired senior manager with British Rail)

MR R Webb
Dear Sir The new service shoud go through to Chester

alistairtrainfanman
I'd love to see this swervice, may mean I could get a job! And long overdue for Shrewsbury!

brinel
i would be one of the most happiest persons, if this service starts, as i live in telford and work in london...it will be easier to meet my husband in telford...!!!

Phil I
I regularly have to travel to London and unfortunately travel to Stafford to catch a "proper" train as opposed to standing on the crowded 2 car multiple units which always involve numerous changes, no first claszs facitity and no direct link to the capital. Considering the size and population of Shrewsbury, Telford and Wrexham and the fact we are in the year 2006, this service is well over due and will at least bring us back to the service availbale in the 1940's. Need I say more.

Anne Cooper
fantastic idea. Bring it on!

Rebecca Jones
This service is a brilliant idea. I often travel from the south-east to Wrexham to visit family, and at the moment I have to change trains at least twice on my journey which can take up to 5 hrs 30 mins. I for one would appreciate a service that would allow me to take a more direct route and one that would prevent me from having to get a train from Shrewsbury at 10pm on a Friday night! I fully support these proposals and will be extremely happy if they go ahead.

Adrian Parkre
A direct link from telford would be very useful. I travelled down to london yesterday (Saturday) and it took about 4 hours then travelled back the same day and it took over 5 hours. No wonder people use their cars more than trains, at £40 for a "saver" return, we can save around £50 for two of us travelling if we go by car. As far as having the intercity trains continue on to shrewsbury from wolvrhampton, I belive the lines would have to be electrified else they'd have to go back to adding and subtracting diesel engines at wolverhampton (as they used to do before 1992).

Allison
It's a great idea but the over priced tickets are not........

Simon
I think it is an excellent idea. I have alway wanted to revisit many attractions around Chirk including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, for example, and it will now be possible without as many lengthy times and lengthy changes. Finally i can get there more easily from London

Philip Mitchell
A new direct service to London from Shropshire is long overdue. Every other Welsh Border County has direct services to London and companies in Shropshire were let down when direct services to London ceased from Telford some years ago. There are already good services to Birmingham and the West Country with Virgin trains and it is the service to the capital that needs improving.

David Jones
This is excellent news and I hope it will go ahead. Shropshire needs better rail links that would connect it with places further afield than at present. A direct service to London is a must for the towns of Shrewsbury and Telford. Just hope the trains are modern and spacious (and the tickets good value)!

martin
A direct link would be a good thing. However I would still not be inclined to use it if the peak tarrif remained at the high level of over £170 return for a standard return.

Dorothy Roberts
It would be really good to be able to go the a show in an afternoon and be able to get a train home afterwards, without the hassle of changing at Birmingham or Wolverhampton.

Mike Sherrington
this has got ot be a good idea, living in Oswestry & traveling to london often I would prefer a direct train rather than change 2/3 time Well done to WSMR

helen castella
What a fantastic idea! My fiancee and i are moving to shropshire in September from London. I think that would be an incentive making it easier to get into London.

Julian
In Responce to Aaron. I totally disagree, and think it a great idea that the train service should be re-introduced at lest then you could get to and from London within 2 hours instead of the 4 by coach.

robert Ingram
I regularly travel between london and Telford and would do so by train much more with this service as I would not have the connection problems and wolverhampton and lack of seats on the wolverhampton to Telford link. Please introduce the service asap and I will be there!

John Small
To stop the congestion getting worse why not just terminate the Virgin trains at Shrewsbury instead of Wolverhampton. I would like to see nothing better than the third rate service operated by Central trains removed from this line. The small stations can be serviced by the far better operation provided by Wales borderline.

Stuart Barbour
A rail link to London will be good, so long as it is marketed correctly. Shropshire is an ideal weekend getaway for Londoners. A direct rail link would help.

Aaron
Complete waste of time. Nobody will use it as the ticket prices for travelling by train are ridiculous. There's a good bus service from Chester to London (via Wrexham, Shrewsbury and Telford) for one third the price of a rail ticket.

Charlene
I think this is a great idea. My boyfriend often travels to London from Telford to see family and friends. A service like this would be so much eaiser than having to change and wait around at other stations

steve green
i think it is a very good idea

Phil
Why introduce more trains on to the network The line between Wolverhampton and Birmingham is really conjested now Just improve the services we have now by increasing the amount of carridges and puntuallity

Thomas James
I do not feel that a direct train to London from Shrewsbury is necessary. Better links from Shrewsbury and also Gobowen to Birmingham would be better as most people would take a Virgin train from there anyway.