Who we are

About The Shakespeare, Solihull & Leamington Rail User Group

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Who we are

The Shakespeare, Solihull & Leamington Rail User Group (SLRUG) exists to encourage the use of train services between Birmingham, Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon (via both Henley-in-Arden and Solihull), promoting the line’s benefits to residents and visitors in doing so, supporting our local businesses and the local economy. We are also campaigning for the restoration of direct services between Stratford-upon-Avon and London (via Leamington Spa).

A diagrammatic map of the routes we seek to promote appears below.

SLRUG has campaigned consistently for reinstatement of the railway between Stratford and Long Marston, which would restore a route southwards from the West Midlands to Worcester, Oxford and London, facilitating connections which would be faster than those currently available via Leamington Spa and Birmingham.

We encourage and invite all users of train services between Birmingham, Stratford- upon-Avon & London/ Leamington Spa – Stratford upon Avon to join us.

Our History

Our origins go back to the 1960s when our predecessor organisation, the North Warwickshire Line Defence Committee, was formed to fight proposals to close the railway between Tyseley Junction and Bearley Junction. The closure was stopped, and the line was saved due to the tenacity of those involved at the time.

Due to NWLDC’s efforts, which included fighting and stopping a further attempt to close the line in 1984, the Shakespeare Line is now a thriving rail route and has attracted improved infrastructure and train service investment.

The NWLDC decided, after the success of stopping the proposed 1984 closure, that it should change its role to focus on attracting people to use the train and line. It, therefore, changed its basis and name and became The Shakespeare Line Rail User Group (SLRUG).

How we function today

Since 2020 the interest and support from the community have increased, with over 70 volunteers now involved and helping look after and enhance all 18 stations along the route. Consequently, SLPG wanted to reflect on these new developments so that a distinction between station volunteers and users of the railway and members of SLPG is more apparent but with the advantage of being part of one overall organisation known as “The Shakespeare Line.”

Consequently, Rail Users who join us as members are represented by what is now known as The Shakespeare Line Rail User Group (SLRUG). Station volunteers along the line are supported separately by the Friends of the Shakespeare Line (FoSL).

Representing our Rail Passengers

On a day-to-day basis, SLRUG monitors the operational standard and performance of train services and the Service Quality Regime at stations along the routes. SLRPG liaises closely with Train Operating Companies, District, County, Central Government, Transport Authorities and Regulatory Authorities, raising issues, putting forward new ideas, and formally responding to local and regional development plans to ensure adequate rail transport provision is included and funded by developers.

So on behalf of members, we raise issues concerning train service reliability, the train service timetable pattern, fare evasion, capacity (overcrowding due to short formation trains), cleanliness and the need for later train services in the week and earlier train services on Sundays.

Our Aims & Objectives

The key Aims & Objectives of The Shakespeare Line Rail User Group (SLRUG) are:

Support and attract passengers to use the train and railway between Birmingham, Leamington Spa and Stratford upon Avon.

Secure three train services an hour between Birmingham and Stratford upon Avon

One service each way per hour via Solihull and Dorridge
Two services each way per hour via Shirley and Whitlocks End
One service each way calling at all stations between Stratford upon Avon and Birmingham via Henley in Arden and Shirley
One semi fast service each way calling at Henley in Arden and Wythall only and then all stations from Whitlocks End to Spring Road

Secure the extension of some Great Western Railway London Paddington – Oxford – to and from Stratford upon Avon.

Press for extended train formations at weekends and on Bank Holidays to service day-trip passengers to and from Stratford upon Avon.

Represent to Local Planning Authorities a requirement for new development in Local Plans to finance adequate investment in the rail infrastructure and facilities to deliver transport sustainability using Section 106 or Community Infrastructure Levy mechanisms available to them.

Support investigation and promotion of the redoubling of the single line between Bearley Junction and Hatton West Junction to increase train service capacity.

Extend the Nuneaton – Coventry – Kenilworth – Leamington Spa train service to include Warwick and Stratford upon Avon.

The further development of The Shakespeare Line as a significant transport asset for the Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and West Midlands area. This includes refreshing the Strategic Outline Business Case concerning the feasibility and benefits of reopening the railway between Stratford upon Avon and Long Marston to link with the Worcester – London Paddington mainline.

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