This new venture, in partnership with SLC Rail, aims to establish a rail operation connecting North Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands, and London. The initiative, named Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR), is Alstom's debut in operating its own rail service in the UK. The collaboration has begun the formal application process with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), targeting the commencement of services by 2025.
Alstom is known for manufacturing new trains, signalling, and infrastructure, seeks to address the absence of direct rail links between specific regions and London through WSMR. The proposed service intends to offer direct connectivity, thereby benefiting communities and businesses by offering a more convenient and potentially cost-effective rail travel option.
The new rail service proposes to introduce five daily trains in each direction from Monday to Saturday, and four on Sundays. These trains would connect cities and towns such as Wrexham, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Walsall, and Coleshill with London, including a stop at the forthcoming Darlaston station. The service aims to reduce travel times significantly, for example, between Shrewsbury and Walsall, and to provide new direct travel options that were previously unavailable.
WSMR anticipates creating approximately 50 new jobs, primarily located in North Wales and the Midlands. This employment opportunity is part of the broader impact envisioned by the rail operation, which aims to serve an area with a population of around 1.5 million outside London. This population is expected to grow significantly in the coming decade, highlighting the potential demand and utility of the proposed service.
One notable aspect of the WSMR proposal is its decision to utilize the Sutton Park line for West Midlands services, thereby avoiding the congested Birmingham area. This choice is expected to open up new travel options and alleviate some of the pressure on one of the most complex parts of the British rail network.
As an open access operator, WSMR represents a commercial venture that operates independently of the government's franchised rail operations. The forthcoming application to the ORR is a critical step towards realizing this new rail service, with further details on the fleet, branding, and specific service offerings to be announced in the future.
