The Wrexham, Shropshire & Marylebone Railway Company (Wrexham & Shropshire) has applied formally to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to operate train services between London Marylebone and Wrexham General with effect from the Summer 2007 timetable. The application follows nine months of negotiations and discussions that have involved Network Rail and rolling stock suppliers as well as a large number of interested parties including MPs, the Welsh Assembly Members and Government, local authorities, business and passenger groups.

The formal application covers a range of issues that the ORR will consider in deciding whether or not the Company will be allowed to operate 5 trains a day each way between Wrexham and London on weekdays, 4 on Saturdays and 3 on Sundays.

“We have left no stone unturned in making our case”, said Wrexham & Shropshire Director John Nelson. “Our submission makes it very clear that substantial economic benefits will be brought to the areas served by our trains.”
The Company believes that proving the economic and social benefits of the service is a crucial part of the case to be considered by the ORR and it has been encouraged by the support it has been receiving from communities up and down the line. “We have been overwhelmed by the scale and strength of support for our plans,” Mr Nelson continued, referring to the many individuals as well as organisations, politicians and councils who have written to the ORR.
The ORR is expected to take several weeks to review Wrexham & Shropshire’s proposals. Subject to a positive outcome, Wrexham & Shropshire will be in a position to agree contracts and begin recruiting staff immediately