In March 2000, the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority announced plans to create a separate Wales & Borders franchise."SSRA redraws franchise map" Railway Gazette International August 2000 page 459The Wales and Borders Franchise House of Commons Select Committee on Welsh Affairs Third Report 17 March 2004 In October 2001, the Valley Lines and Wales & West franchises were restructured as Wales & Borders and Wessex Trains, with the former taking responsibility for most services in Wales, including the Cambrian line services from Central Trains. All franchises were operated by National Express.
