A KEY decision by rail regulators should safeguard Wrexham train services, it has been claimed.

The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) has blocked a proposed service between Aberystwyth and London which would have been run by Arriva Trains Wales.

The proposed Arriva service would not have called at Wrexham but there were fears it could have threatened another service which operates from the town, run by the Wrexham and Shropshire company.

Town MP Ian Lucas opposed the plans, and was backed by passenger groups and rail users.

Now the ORR has announced that they will not approve an application from Arriva to run the service between Aberystwyth and London.

Mr Lucas said: “I am pleased the ORR listened to the case which was being made to them about these services.

"There would have been no benefit to Wrexham under these plans, but a service which has become well-liked in the town, and which provides local people with jobs, would have been threatened.

"The rail regulators have made the right decision.”

Arriva Trains Wales said it was “extremely disappointed” by the decision.

A spokesman said: “We believe that a direct rail link to London would boost the economy and tourism in Mid-Wales and Shropshire, providing valuable additional services to local people.

“Aberystwyth will remain one of the few towns left in Britain without a direct link to the capital after the last link to London was withdrawn in 1991.”