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Rail Connections to London: Rural Towns
23 March 2026
Lead MP
Julia Buckley
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EconomyTransportCulture, Media & SportBenefits & Welfare
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Julia Buckley raised concerns about rail connections to london: rural towns in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The constituency of Shrewsbury is the economic powerhouse of the region, with a thriving tourism sector worth £1 billion to the local economy and supporting nearly 10,000 jobs. However, Shropshire lacks direct train services to London, which doubles travel time and creates barriers for those with mobility issues. The Wrexham, Shropshire and midlands railway bid offers up to four trains daily to unlock infrastructure and generate £9 million in annual gross value added for the regional economy.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
The proposed WSMR line could provide huge opportunities for communities such as Aldridge, but Labour mayor's decision risks leaving them behind by not building a railway station.
Wolverhampton North East
The WSMR proposal will support economic investment and strengthen local journeys across the midlands, linking towns and cities to London.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
North Cornwall
Reliable rail links are essential for keeping Devon connected and competitive; a direct line from Honiton to London is necessary.
Amanda Hack
Con
North West Leicestershire
The ability to get to London by train would be transformational for North West Leicestershire, which has not had passenger rail since the Beeching cuts in the 1960s.
Andrew George
Lib Dem
Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale
For rural areas like west Cornwall, reliability, comfort, competitive pricing are more important than speed. Investment should focus on these aspects to improve services.
Rachel Taylor
Con
Coleshill
Improved rail connectivity for Coleshill and surrounding villages would open up opportunities for work and leisure and support balanced regional development.
Jonathan Davies
Lab
Derbyshire Dales
Midland main line electrification could add £500 million to the regional economy, improve reliability, reduce journey times and air pollution. Benefits for rural stations too.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the need for better rail connections between London and rural towns, emphasising that Great British Railways will bring multiple train companies under a single organisation to improve service integration. While direct services may not be possible in every instance due to capacity constraints on the west coast main line, the Government is providing conditional support for WSMR's open-access application pending regulatory approval. Consolidation and simplification of local transport funding are also ongoing initiatives. The Minister committed to reflecting on all points raised by Members.
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Assessment & feedback
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.