Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway
| Company type | Proposed open-access train operating company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | March 14, 2024 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | North Wales and the English Midlands |
| Products | Passenger rail services |
Number of employees | Up to 50 (planned) |
The Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway (WSMR) represents a planned open-access operator within the United Kingdom.
In March 2024, WSMR submitted an application to run passenger services connecting and through , , , and , aiming for commencement in 2025. However, on 3 July 2025, the Office of Rail and Road declined the proposal, citing capacity limitations on the West Coast Main Line, with opposition from Network Rail regarding the suggested route.
Should approval be granted, operations would be managed by Alstom, marking its inaugural passenger rail project in the UK, with advisory assistance provided by SLC Rail.
History and description
Unveiled on 14 March 2024, WSMR intends to generate up to 50 employment opportunities primarily across North Wales and the English Midlands, targeting a service area encompassing approximately 1.5 million residents outside London. The initiative has received endorsement from Huw Merriman, Minister of State for Transport.
This service plans to reinstate a direct connection between Shropshire and London following the cessation of Avanti West Coast’s Shrewsbury–London Euston route in June 2024. Unlike the former Wrexham & Shropshire operator (active from 2008 to 2011), which utilized the Chiltern Main Line to London Marylebone, WSMR proposes using the West Coast Main Line to Euston and operates independently of that previous company.
WSMR’s schedule includes five daily trains in each direction Monday through Saturday and four on Sundays, stopping at stations such as , Shrewsbury, , Wolverhampton, (pending reopening), , , Nuneaton, and Milton Keynes. The route incorporates the freight-only Sutton Park line to circumvent Birmingham’s congested rail corridor, facilitating new direct connections like Wolverhampton-Walsall-Nuneaton. Travel durations are projected at three hours from Wrexham to London and two hours from Shrewsbury.
Requests from local councils include additional stops at and consideration is being given to establishing a new station at Aldridge. Parliamentary representatives from Shropshire and Wrexham have voiced their support for this proposal.
Alstom is expected to disclose details regarding rolling stock, branding, and timetables in due course; proposed features include infrastructure monitoring systems, first and standard class accommodations, "instant delay repay," seat reservation options, and potentially pre-ordered catering services. WSMR also plans investments in station improvements alongside the possibility of constructing a new parkway station near Shrewsbury.
In June 2025, Network Rail opposed the application due to concerns over infrastructure congestion and timetable capacity constraints. Subsequently, on 3 July 2025, the ORR formally rejected the bid because of limited capacity affecting existing services on the southern section of the West Coast Main Line between Rugby and Euston. Comparable applications by Lumo and Virgin Trains for this corridor were similarly turned down.
Following this refusal, WSMR intends to reengage with ORR to discuss future options. MPs including Julia Buckley (Shrewsbury), Andrew Ranger (Wrexham), and Shaun Davies (Telford) continue to advocate for a renewed submission.