Branson does not want to provide us with a through train service to London and neither does he want any other company to do so,he has in effect put paid to that new company who wanted to run a service from Wrexam and S.bury,thanks Richard.

It might soften the blow if the connections at Brum were a bit more helpful. The train is often delayed, as the line from Wolverhampton is heavily congested, and it doesn't help the trains are scheduled to get in to New St 5-10 mins before the Euston train departs - either you just make the connection, or you end up waving the departing train goodbye and have a long wait for the next one. Connections up at Crewe are even worse!

For example, a useful train to London, the 7.12 from Shrewsbury (ex Aberystwyth) gets to New St just in time to connect with the 8.30, getting to Euston at 10.00. This is late enough, especially if you have a tube journey to make as well at the other end. The preceding train from Shrewsbury is at 6.40, arriving at New St at 5mins before the 8.00 Euston train, again leaving a long wait for the 8.30 if you miss it.

If possible i'd advise avoiding the Arriva services from Aberystwyth, they are delayed far more often than the Central Trains services that start and finish in Shrewsbury because of the poor track between here and Aber.