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The Chester-Shrewsbury Rail Partnership welcomed the release of a report into potential improvements for the rail line between Chester, Wrexham and Shrewsbury at a presentation at in Wrexham on March 23rd. The study, sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government, TAITH, Cheshire County Council, Oswestry Borough Council, Shropshire County Council and Arriva Trains Wales, was produced by Scott Wilson Railways.
For many years the Chester – Shrewsbury Rail Partnership has worked to increase passenger numbers on the line and to increase the service frequency. In December 2005 a full hourly service was introduced giving direct trains to Chester and the North Wales Coast, Birmingham and Cardiff. The line has shown some of the greatest growth in passenger numbers and in season ticket sales over the past few years.
The Partnership was keen to explore the potential the line could deliver and identify any constraints and possible solutions. They felt it necessary to explore whether further improvements were necessary or justifiable.
Sheila Dee Community Rail Officer for the line explained ‘As a Partnership we have always looked to developing the line as part of a clear long term business plan that showed real benefits for the economic development of the area, the passengers and the railway industry. This study has been conducted at a particularly interesting time for railways in Wales and the Borders as Network Rail are currently working on the Rail Route Utilisation Strategy for Wales, a ten year plan for developing adequate capacity within the network.’
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