Shrewsbury Parkway Station plans gather pace
A business case is being prepared for a new train station in Shrewsbury, to alleviate pressure on the town’s existing station and highway network.
Shropshire Council is working with new rail operator Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR) and its partner SLC Rail on feasibility and private-financing options for the Parkway Station.
Alstom announced major plans last March for a new rail service connecting Wrexham through to London Euston with SLC Rail, to be known as WSMR. It would mark the train manufacturer’s own rail service in the UK for the first time.
The partnership submitted its application for track access to support its proposed services to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the rail regulator. Depending on when it gains approval, the company is hoping to operate services this year. The train fleet for the new service will be revealed soon.
Trains would run from Wrexham General through to London Euston and avoid Birmingham by using the Sutton Park line, which is currently only used for freight services.
Passengers will stop at Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Telford Central, Wolverhampton, Darlaston (once it opens), Walsall, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes on their journey between Wrexham and London. Proposals envisage a service of five trains per day in each direction Monday to Saturday, with four travelling both ways on Sundays, serving an estimated 1.5m people outside of London.
The new Parkway Station aligns with the ‘Shrewsbury Moves’ initiative, which aims to improve how people move around the town, including the role that rail could play.
Ian Walters, MD of SLC and director of WSMR said: “We are pleased to be working with Shropshire Council to look into more detail at the case for a parkway station close to Shrewsbury to serve Shropshire and the borders. Aligning these exciting proposals with WSMR’s plans to operate passenger rail services shows how an Open Access rail company can attract much-needed private sector investment in railway infrastructure that will reduce road congestion in town and city centres, create jobs and support housing growth in the UK.”
Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for transport said: “We’re very excited to see further progress for Shrewsbury Moves by working with SLC and WSMR. WSMR’s plans for new services from Shropshire to London offer a lifeline in connectivity to our communities and ensure that as the population of Shropshire increases, we have the infrastructure to support it.
“A parkway station is part of our longer term plans and would reduce the pressure on Shrewsbury’s station and help cut traffic within the town centre.”
Dave Parry, chair of the Big Town Plan partnership added: “This is great news and an important first step forward for a parkway station that would provide a further boost for Shrewsbury and its transport infrastructure and attract the investment needed to help make our town an even better place for people to come to, whether to visit, live or work.”
