Council seeks early talks with new rail franchise
Councillors in Telford are to seek an early meeting with the operator of the new West Midlands rail franchise to outline its intentions for Shropshire.
West Midlands Trains – a joint venture between Dutch company Abellio and Japanese duo East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co – will take over the rights to the franchise for the West Midlands network in December following the decision by the Government earlier this month.
Its responsibility will include Shropshire’s main railway line from Shrewsbury through Telford to Birmingham.
The new operator has pledged to invest a billion pounds in the network, including new carriages and additional services to alleviate congestion of a variety of lines. It has already pledged improvements for the county.
Cllr Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “This is really excellent news for our transport infrastructure and I would like to welcome West Midlands Trains and congratulate them on their successful bid to win the franchise.
“I am delighted that it will mean additional train services to Telford’s three stations as well as an enhanced Sunday service.”
She said she and council officers had met with West Midlands Trains’ representatives before the submission of its bid to the Government. During this meeting, the would-be franchise outlined some of its future plans.
“I will be seeking an early meeting with them to discuss how we can work together to further improve Telford’s transport infrastructure. I will also be seeking their support in lobbying for electrification of the Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton line, which would bring significant benefits to Telford,” added Cllr McClements.
Improvements already pledged by West Midlands Trains include:
• an additional Monday to Saturday hourly service from Telford to Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and Birmingham, starting December 2018
• a new hourly Sunday service
• smartcards for season tickets
• free wifi on all trains
• refurbished trains and possibly some new ones
• potential improvements to stations
