The Westcountry will not get a new climate change-proof

intercity rail route for another 50 years.

Campaigners have for years been pushing for a route to replace

part of the current main line between Penzance and

London.

But it is understood Network Rail has ruled out any changes

to the route for the next 30 years at least, and possibly up to

50.

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"continueNews">Instead, its strategic plan for

the route over the next three decades will focus on upgrading

protection on the line through South Devon, where it is often

affected by extreme coastal weather conditions that hold up

services.

At a meeting held in Exeter, a Network Rail representative

told regional business figures it did not see any need for a

new line.

A source who was at the meeting told the Western Morning

News: "They have no intention of coming away from the existing

route for the next 30 years at least.

"They believe the work they have done on the line is enough

for up to 50 years."

The current track runs along the seafront in the towns of

Dawlish and Teignmouth. During the autumn and winter months

services are frequently affected by stormy weather.

There are fears that global warming could lead to rising sea

levels and more frequent bad weather, increasing disruption to

services. It has led to calls from MPs and passenger groups for

an alternative route to be investigated. Last night there were

calls for Network Rail to look more closely at the idea of

another route.

Roger Creagh-Osborne, of campaign group Transport 2000 in

Plymouth and Cornwall, said the jury was still out on whether a

new route or upgrading defences on the current line was the

best option, but that Network Rail should at least be looking

into the possibility.

"We do not think Network Rail is looking far enough ahead

into the future or looking at all the options," he said.

"There is a strong scientific case to say that a rise in sea

levels of more than 20cm is very likely in the next 100 years.

If we are faced with that sort of significantly greater problem

it is going to have to go on to the agenda for Network Rail to

consider."

It comes days after Network Rail said that it was looking at

the Great Western route to be one of five high-speed TGV-style

routes it plans to build across the UK. Electrified trains

travelling at up to 200mph could run on such lines, slashing

journey times between the region and London.

But Mr Creagh-Osborne said that any such line would require

a new track, because the line west of Exeter is too bendy to

allow trains to travel at speed.

The route between the South West and London is also facing

the possibility of years of disruption because of plans for a

£16 billion project to ease travel across the capital.

The Crossrail Project, announced last year, will see a new

line built west to east from Maidenhead in Berkshire through

central London as far east as Shenfield in Essex.

The route could take up to seven years to build, during

which time work will be taking place on the current lines into

London Paddington from the South West.

Fears have been raised that trains from the region could be

side-lined while the work goes on, leading to delays in travel

affecting commuters and businesses in the South West.

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said there had been a

"misunderstanding" at the meeting and that it was looking at

all options for the Westcountry rail routes.

She said that a feasibility study due out in 2009 would

address the best way to develop the service in the region.

"No definitive solution was presented at that meeting. It

was merely a discussion on an ongoing effort to maintain the

track along the coastline," she said.

"Further studies need to be done to examine socio-economic

and cost benefits together with relevant stakeholders before

any options are carried forward. We are still at the very early

stage of that process."