Council confirms positive talks with trains operator on new services

Telford & Wrekin Council has said initial talks with the new operator of train services in the West Midlands proved positive.

The local authority said it was spoken to West Midlands Trains about additional trains coming into operation at the end of the year, plans for increased parking at Telford Central station, plans for improved customer information screens and better cycle parking provision at all stations.

Further may explore options for Wellington Station.

“They (WMT) are still very busy with their initial mobilisation of the new franchise but it is positive that Telford & Wrekin Council is one of the first local authorities that they have come to speak to about how we can work together over the course of the franchise,” said the council in a statement.

WMT took over the West Midlands franchise at the start of December from London Midland. The new operator has pledged to invest £1bn in improving services, including new, longer trains.

Part of the investment promises more trains between Birmingham and Shrewsbury, with two services per hour beginning from December 2018.

The talks came as Telford MP Lucy Allen led a parliamentary debate calling for better rail services between Birmingham and Telford.

She said there was a need for at least one fast train per hour but upset rail groups by saying she could see no demand for an all-stops service calling at smaller stations along the route.