Response to the decision from Office of Rail and Road – 3 July 2025
03.07.2025
A spokesperson for Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway said:
“We are extremely disappointed with the Office of Rail and Road’s decision to reject our application – the only current application to receive support from the Department for Transport. We have spent the past two years demonstrating that capacity and performance concerns can and would be negated by the industry working together to deliver a better railway for passengers. WSMR would have set new standards for how open access operators can and should work alongside nationalised rail services.
“Since our application was submitted in March 2024, we have received overwhelming support from local people, businesses, councillors and MPs, who all recognise the urgent need for this connectivity. We will now urgently seek to reengage with the ORR and determine our next steps regarding the future of this vital passenger service.”