MPs gather to rally behind road and rail improvements in Shropshire

MPs and regional leaders gathered this week to call for improvements to road and rail links in Shropshire.

There was cross-party and cross-country support for the plea to bring better connections to the Midlands and Wales.

Upgrades

Proposals include faster trains between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury to 90mph. In addition, upgrades to the A5 and A49 roads through Shropshire are also proposed.

The event, chaired by North Shropshire's Lib Dem MP, Helen Morgan, includes MPs from Telford and Clwyd South.

Midlands Connect released a report proposing upgrades to the road and rail links in Shropshire into Wales. These suggest increasing the speed and frequency on rail lines and upgrading the A5, A49 and delivering the Pant – Llanymynech bypass.

'Gateway'

Midlands Connect also proposed upgrades on the Birmingham – Black Country – Shrewsbury rail line. This is described as the ‘gateway’ to the Marches and Mid and West Wales.

Plans were submitted to improve journey times on the corridor by speeding up the line to 90 mph from Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton.

The Welsh Government, Network Rail and Midlands Connect are also taking part in the rallying call for better transport.

Crying Out

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 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.”

Proposals

The proposals being discussed include:

Faster and a higher frequency of trains, with greater direct connectivity between Telford and Chester.

Reviews of accessibility to train stations.

Cut journey times from Hereford to Cardiff to under 60 minutes.

Cross-border integration of the bus network - to enable residents in Herefordshire to access rail at Abergavenny.

Secure faster and a higher frequency of trains, enhancing the effectiveness of the interchange at Shrewsbury.

Integrating bus and rail for rural communities along the line.

Cut journey times and maintain direct services to Birmingham, optimising connections at Shrewsbury.

Midlands Connect also recommended road upgrades for the A5. These are suggested to enhance the role played by the A5 in connecting England to Holyhead and beyond.  

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.

“If we want to improve access to healthcare and jobs, and combat rural isolation, the government must join with campaigners and act on this.”