50-year delay for rail route

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.

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."