Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consideration she has given to convening a meeting with Network Rail, Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway and MPs representing communities on the proposed route to discuss the timetable and infrastructure work needed to support a future track access application.

The Department supported the proposed Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway services in principle, recognising the potential benefits for passenger choice and connectivity. However, that support was always conditional on the services being accommodated without detriment to network performance, resilience or the rights of other operators.

On 8 October 2026, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) published its decision not to approve the application, concluding that there is insufficient capacity on the West Coast Main Line and that introducing additional services in the current circumstances would be detrimental to performance and existing users. The Department respects the ORR's decision in its role as the independent rail regulator.

The Department regularly engages with Network Rail, train operators, parliamentarians and other stakeholders on matters relating to rail services and infrastructure. The Department will continue to engage with relevant parties as appropriate on issues relating to rail network performance, capacity and future development.