The Department for Transport said the daily service was used by only a “very small number” of passengers.
- author, Tim Page
- role, BBC News, West Midlands
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Direct rail services between Shropshire and London will end in June.
The Department for Transport (DfT) blamed the decision on low passenger numbers.
An alternative operator, WSMR, is applying for permission to perform similar services.
The direct service carries between 40 and 60 passengers per day, but currently there is only one service per day in each direction.
The ship departs Shrewsbury at 07:04 GMT, also calling at Telford Central and Wellington, returning at 18:16.
Transport officials said services on both routes between Birmingham and London would increase.
A DfT spokesperson said: “Avanti is withdrawing the service due to very low passenger numbers, but West Midlands Trains has plans to increase the number of trains between the Shropshire town and Birmingham.” said.
“Avanti aims to increase high-speed services between Birmingham and London, which will bring significant benefits to more passengers in the West Midlands.”
The move was criticized by Telford and Wrekin Council, which has two stations on the line.
Councilor Lee Carter, who is responsible for economic development, said this was contrary to the government’s equalization policy.
“We know how important a direct service is in improving the Shrewsbury to Wellington rail line and the economic benefits it can bring. It will ruin it,” he added.
strange history
The history of direct trains between Shropshire and London is clearly a stop-start history.
Avanti and its predecessor, West Coast mainline carrier Virgin, have introduced, reduced and withdrawn services over the years.
Continuation of the service has been the subject of intense lobbying by MPs, local governments and business leaders.
Open access operator Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway operated its own lines independent of the national franchise system between 2008 and 2011.
A new company, also with the initials WSMR, but independent from the previous operator, has applied to operate the new service.
It was to depart from Wrexham to stations such as Gobowen, Shrewsbury and Telford, passing through the West Midlands en route to Euston.
However, bypassing Birmingham, trains will now pass directly from Wolverhampton to Coleshill Parkway and Nuneaton.
The route still needs approval from the Railway Regulatory Authority, but ministers have expressed support in principle.