Transport Secretary backs direct London train link for Telford

Direct trains from Shropshire to London have moved a step closer.

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard secured a public statement of support from the Transport Secretary in the House of Commons.

The Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR) is bidding to run the new services.

A previous bid was rejected last year.

The new proposal now includes regular stops at Wellington following a campaign by Mr Pritchard.

In Parliament yesterday, 12th February 2026, the MP raised concerns over how the bid is decided.

He questioned if there was a conflict of interest between Great British Railways and the Office of Rail and Road.

When previously asked in December, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said these decisions were for the Office of Rail and Road to take.

Today, she went further.

She told the House of Commons she “will maintain my support for those proposals going forward.”

Mark Pritchard MP welcomed the breakthrough.

“This is a major and public statement of support from the Minister after my many years of campaigning,” he said.

“Great British Railways should support the Office of Rail and Road in granting the WSMR bid for a new open access agreement, which would boost Shropshire’s economy by millions of pounds a year.”