Following the return of London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway to public ownership this Sunday, Shaun Davies MP, Member of Parliament for Telford has welcomed this major step in the Labour Government’s plan to build a simpler, more reliable railway that works for passengers, not shareholders.
The transfer of London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services means that over half of all rail journeys that Great British Railways will ultimately be responsible for are now operated by publicly owned companies.
These services connect communities across the Midlands and along the West Coast Main Line, supporting jobs, education and local economies.
This comes alongside the Government’s decision to freeze rail fares for the first time in 30 years, saving commuters on the most expensive routes more than £300 a year.
Shaun said: “This is a major milestone in building a rail network that passengers can truly rely on under Great British Railways — delivering more reliable and more affordable journeys. For Telford, this really matters. Our town depends on strong rail links to support jobs, education and investment, and public ownership puts passengers back at the heart of the system, not profit.
“As MP for Telford, I have made improving train services a top priority. I am working closely with Transport for the West Midlands to secure real, long-term improvements and to fight for the rail investment that Telford’s residents and businesses deserve — including a direct Telford–London service and faster, more reliable connections across the West Midlands.”
Heidi Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport said: “From this Sunday, passengers travelling with London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway will be using services that are owned by the public and run with their interests at heart. This Labour government is reforming a broken system to deliver a reliable railway that regenerates communities, rebuilds the trust of its passengers, and delivers the high standards people in the West Midlands and beyond rightly expect.”
It’s about time we had better links to bigger cities like Birmingham and London – this isn’t just about saving time but to also boost our local economy. Telford’s shops and hospitality deserve to have better connections across Wider Shropshire and beyond.
ENDS
