“Operational Challenges” sees trains cancelled between Shotton Wrexham and Bidston

Some train services between Wrexham Shotton and Bidston have been cancelled today due to what Arriva Trains Wales are calling “Operational Challenges”

Over the past few weeks the train operating company has been battling with driver shortages which has impacted on services through Shotton.

Like all UK privatised train companies, Arriva Trains Wales don’t appear to employ enough drivers to cover sickness, holidays and other staffing issues meaning some services have had to be cancelled.

A spokesman for ASLEF told Deeside.com :

‘Delays caused by a shortage of drivers are down to the privatised train operating companies which do not recruit enough drivers to provide the service they promise, in their franchise applications, to provide. The train companies want to keep their costs down, and their fares up, to make as much profit as possible.

That’s why they cram in as many commuters as they can during the rush hour. Sadly, the train companies are not in the business of providing a public service but of making as much money as possible. That’s why they fail to recruit the drivers they need. And that’s why they cancel trains – because they do not employ enough men and women to drive their trains.’

Arriva Trains Wales website is currently showing four cancelled services which were due to run through Shotton cancelled.

As a result replacement bus services will be in operation between Wrexham and Shrewsbury for the remainder of the day.

The following Wrexham services between Wrexham General and Wrexham Central have been cancelled:

2:30pm Wrexham Central to Bidston due 3:30pm

3:35pm Bidston to Wrexham Central due 4:32pm

4:30pm Wrexham Central to Bidston due 5:31pm

5:45pm Bidston to Wrexham Central due 6:46pm

Full information of the cancellations and the services affected can be found on the Arriva Trains Wales website.