Wrexham & Shropshire have welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s announcement on 11 January that it has reached agreement with Network Rail regarding the delivery of rail depot facilities at Wrexham General station.

The depot project will provide many essential facilities for Wrexham & Shropshire’s new direct rail service, scheduled to start in Spring 2008, including overnight accommodation for trains, storage for on-train catering supplies and secure office space.

The company has also had confirmation from Wrexham Council that Listed Building Consent for the proposed works has been granted and that the terms to lease the facilities are agreed with Arriva Trains Wales.  This news means that Wrexham & Shropshire’s plans to run rail services next year are on schedule.

Andy Hamilton, Managing Director of Wrexham & Shropshire, said: “We are delighted that plans for the depot have been given the green light.  They not only form a key part of our proposals to run direct rail services to London, but also support the 45 new local jobs that we will be creating in Wrexham over the coming months.Launching a new rail service is a challenging and exciting venture.  It’s not possible without co-operation, so we are particularly pleased that plans for the depot have come about as a result of a strong partnership between the public sector and the railway industry.”

Wrexham & Shropshire is expecting to run passenger services between North Wales, Shropshire and London Marylebone from Spring 2008.  The company is undertaking the necessary work required to mobilise the service, including the refurbishment of its trains. Further details of the new service will be announced over the coming months.
Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones, said: “The new depot is good news for North Wales, and provides the enhanced infrastructure we need to support greater use of our rail facilities.”