With renewed discussion surrounding a direct Wrexham to London rail service and potential new stations along the route, campaigners are once again calling for the reopening of Rhosymedre Halt, citing strong economic, social, transport, and sporting benefits for North East Wales.

Dave Metcalfe, local campaigner and community representative, said:
“Now that the Wrexham to London service is back in the conversation, it is the right time to seriously look at stations along the line that deliver maximum benefit for minimum cost. Rhosymedre Halt is an obvious and sensible choice.”

As highlighted last year, reopening Rhosymedre Halt would make sense for the local community, the railway, Wrexham County Borough Council, North East Wales, and Welsh football. Crucially, it would also represent a highly cost-effective investment. Campaigners estimate that reopening Rhosymedre Halt with step-free access would cost around one-third of the expense required to deliver step-free access at Ruabon Station.

“This isn’t a complicated or expensive engineering project,” added Mr Metcalfe. “Rhosymedre Halt already has bridges and ramps in place. We don’t need new lifts or a new bridge — the basic infrastructure is already there.”

Rhosymedre Halt would serve the largest community on the line between Wrexham and Shrewsbury, with approximately 10,000 residents within a two-mile radius, rising to 13,000 when the nearby Penycae community is included.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Mr Metcalfe. “No other location on this stretch of line serves a bigger community, and that’s before you factor in tourism, employment, and sporting links.”

Beyond transport access, reopening the halt would deliver a wide range of additional benefits, including:

  • Being the closest railway station to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site

  • Providing access to the proposed medical centre at the former Kwik Save / Co-Op site

  • Boosting the local economy and employment opportunities

  • Reducing congestion on the A483 between Ruabon Roundabout and Switch Island

  • Offering a far cheaper alternative to road expansion

  • Encouraging public transport use and improving environmental outcomes

  • Supporting tourism, Welsh football, and community visibility

Rhosymedre Halt is located just 250 metres from Rock Stadium, home of Wrexham AFC Women’s Team.

“It’s actually closer to Rock Stadium than Wrexham General is to the Racecourse Ground,” Mr Metcalfe said. “With women’s football growing so strongly here, the station would make matchdays more accessible for supporters.”

Campaigners have also extended an open invitation to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to support the campaign.

“If Ryan and Rob want to get involved, they would be very welcome,” said Mr Metcalfe. “This is about supporting communities, sustainable transport, and the future of Welsh football.”

Campaigners are now calling on Cefn, Llangollen Rural and Penycae Community Councils, along with Wrexham County Borough Council’s transport department and the Mayor, to engage with the proposal and provide letters of support.

“Together, we can make a very strong team,” Mr Metcalfe concluded. “With community backing and political support, reopening Rhosymedre Halt is both achievable and beneficial for the whole region.”