Task force to fight for better South West rail links

A new Peninsula Rail Task Force has been created to help the region pack a more powerful punch in the campaign for better rail connectivity for the South West.

Devon, Cornwall and Somerset Councils, together with Torbay Council, are teaming up with the Plymouth Rail Task Force to coordinate the fight for better rail links.

Representatives from Heart of the South West Local Economic Partnership and Cornwall Local Economic Partnership will also join the group which will be supported by the region's MPs. Travelwatch South West are to advise the group and the five authorities will also be supported by South West Chambers.

The expanded Task Force plans to maintain the momentum of pressure that has been building on both the Government and the rail industry in the last few months, following serious network failures caused by flooding and landslips.

It also plans to address the lack of investment in the South West rail infrastructure. Recent Network Rail infrastructure announcements have revealed few plans to invest in the mainline through the Westcountry for the foreseeable future.

The Task Force has already put together a paper which has been sent to the Department for Transport. Called ‘the South West Spine – the case for greater investment across the South West peninsula railway network,’.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member of Transport for Plymouth City Council said: “The Plymouth Task Force made good progress working with the rail industry on raising up the agenda the importance of good rail connectivity between the City, London and the Midlands. However, events have overtaken us and it is clear that the failure of the network due to appalling weather has had consequences for us all across the peninsula.”

“This is not just for the people who are trying to live and work in the region, but paints a worrying picture for our future if the perception among potential investors and tourists is of the South West being regularly cut off. We must call for more to be done.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "Last year's flood events highlighted the urgent need for improvements to the region's rail network, particularly at Cowley Bridge which was highlighted as the weakest link for main line services between the South West and London. The creation of this task force is the best way to ensure our collective voice is heard as we continue to press for support.

"We simply cannot have train services being disrupted and we must all be united in getting this put right. We need to work together to ensure that the far South West is not ignored in future and that we receive the necessary help to boost the long-term resilience of our rail network."

Somerset County Council Deputy Leader David Hall said: “We’ve all been badly affected by the problems on our network by the winter weather. We need to show determination when making the case for those improvements to our railways, which other regions of the country appear to be receiving long in advance of the South West peninsula. We can not afford to be left behind.”

Torbay Council’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Thomas, said: “It is vital that we all work together in the region to promote investment in rail. As many train routes cover multiple local council areas, it makes sense to create a task force that improves services to both business users and residents, long into the future.”

Last year, Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council met the Prime Minister and as one of four key 'asks' for the region, lobbied for faster trains to the city. After extreme weather conditions hit and severe disruption was caused to rail services in the region in November last year, Plymouth City Council wrote a letter signed by the other local authorities calling for urgent action. However, Network Rail's announcement of massive investment in January included little action for the South West.

In February, the Secretary of State for Transport announced interim measures in the light of the decision to scrap the competition for the GWR franchise.