A proposed direct rail link between Aberystwyth and London has been rejected by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) said it was  Œextremely disappointed¹ the proposed twice daily service to Marylebone station was turned down.

The ORR said it was concerned about the financial viability of the proposed new service. It would have run via some of the same stations used by the lossmaking Wrexham, Shropshire & Marylebone Railway Co route to London. WSMR parent DB Regio UK  threatened to scrap the WSMR service if the ORR gave ATW the go-ahead for through London services.