Talks on Virgin Rail link to London

Audlem families may soon have a direct rail link to London from Nantwich station if a deal can be struck.

The rail regulator has given the go-ahead for a train service from Crewe to London via Shrewsbury.

If it gets the green light it may mean services from Crewe to London via Shrewsbury and Telford with trains stopping at Nantwich station.

But train operator Virgin Rail today described press reports of direct London services starting soon as "premature".

A Virgin Rail spokeswoman told AudlemOnline: "We are still waiting to hear from Network Rail about a possible timetable. We are obviously in close talks with them but suggestions that a deal has been agreed are premature."

"We will have to consider Network Rail's offer before any formal decision on services is made."

Train operator Virgin has been bidding to restart a direct link to the capital via Shrewsbury for some time.

But plans were put on hold after Network Rail claimed it could not accommodate any more trains on the overcrowded West Coast Mainline.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) now says the two have now agreed to run an off-peak service Monday to Friday, with one direct train timetabled for Sunday.

And hopes are high that a direct rail services through Shropshire to London can be restarted from May. But it will only happen if Virgin Trains can now agree on a timetable.

The Virgin spokeswoman added:"We have not yet received a new timetable offer from Network Rail and until we do nothing is finalised."

Shropshire has been without a direct rail link to London since 2011, when the Wrexham and Shropshire service ended.

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