Further investment for Cornwall’s rail network will build on the success of recent passenger growth and branch line improvements, Cornwall Councillors have told Government.

Responding to the Department for Transport consultation on the Great Western franchise replacement, councillors have made several suggestions which they say will lead to significant benefits for local residents and businesses. Among the suggestions are: • More frequent train services on the mainline and branch lines between Cornish towns and with trains at times people need to travel to work or education. The benefits of this have been demonstrated by the current half hourly frequency of services on the Truro to Falmouth branch line.

• Increasing the number of services entering Cornwall from London and Bristol and protecting the Penzance to London sleeper service.

• Providing better quality trains with improved facilities and additional carriages to help reduce overcrowding.

• A more affordable and easy-to-use ticketing system, making use of smart ticketing technology.

The Council is responding to the Department for Transport consultation on ‘Great Western Franchise Replacement’, currently operated by First Great Western trains. The franchise is to be retendered during 2012 with the new franchise beginning in April 2013.

The Government has also recently published its consultation on Rail Decentralisation that considers how the Government might devolve more responsibility and budgets for rail passenger services to a local level. The consultation closes on June 28, 2012.