EFFORTS to introduce a through service of Virgin Trains between London and Shrewsbury in May have been abandoned, after it became clear that the only paths which Network Rail could make available would not be attractive to passengers.
Virgin wants to restore direct London services to both Shrewsbury and Blackpool, but so far discussions with Network Rail have foundered because the West Coast Main Line is so congested.
The proposal included running trains from London to Stafford rather than via Birmingham, and then reversing to join the Shrewsbury line just outside Wolverhampton.
Virgin is not giving up, and said it is still aiming to bring its trains to Shrewsbury at the next timetable change in December.