New Direct Train Service from Shropshire to London Euston Could Launch in 2026

A new rail operator is aiming to reintroduce direct daily train services between Shropshire and London Euston by late 2026.

Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR), led by international rail company Alstom, submitted a revised proposal at the end of last year to run four trains per day. Shropshire has been without a direct rail link to the capital since Avanti West Coast withdrew its once-daily service in 2024 due to low passenger demand.

The proposal has been welcomed by commuter Charlotte Foster, who lives near the Welsh border. She said a direct service would remove the stress of changing trains or travelling to alternative stations. Currently, she often drives an hour to Wolverhampton to avoid delays and missed connections on routes through Shropshire. The running coach, who works with clients in London and volunteers at the London Marathon, said the lack of a direct service has frequently caused long waits and missed trains.

WSMR plans to serve at least seven stations along the route, including stops in the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire. Its earlier application for five daily services in each direction was rejected by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in July 2025 over concerns that it would increase congestion on the West Coast Mainline near London and negatively affect overall train performance.

In its updated bid, the company reduced the number of services to four per day and added an extra stop at Wellington in Shropshire. WSMR’s Mobilisation Director, Darren Horley, said the service could attract around 1,000 passengers daily and generate approximately £2.2 million a year for Shropshire’s economy.

WSMR is also supporting plans for a new Shrewsbury Parkway station near the Preston roundabout on the A5. Mr Horley, who has three decades of experience in the rail industry, said improved links to London are crucial for regional towns, while also helping showcase what those areas have to offer. He added that previous services were not viable due to limited frequency, but believes four daily trains would stimulate demand and economic growth, particularly in Shrewsbury and Walsall.

The company is seeking an “open access” agreement from the ORR, meaning the service would operate without government subsidies or franchise obligations. A decision on the proposed seven-year track access deal is expected in spring 2026.