Sarah Newton MP has made the case for improved Truro to Falmouth rail services during a visit from the Rail Minister the Theresa Villiers MP, during her visit to Cornwall on Wednesday.

Mrs Villiers toured Truro Station on Wednesday morning, before taking the Maritime Line down to Penryn, and then onto Penmere to meet with the Friends of the Station.

The visit comes as the Department for Transport, following a consultation with key stakeholders, considers bids from companies keen to take on the Great Western rail franchise.

The Great Western rail franchise covers the Penzance-Paddington line, and a large number of branch lines across the South West.

A new version of the franchise was put out to tender by the Department for Transport last month, with the successful bidder due to be announced in December.

Mrs Newton said that in December 2011 she led a debate in Parliament on the future of the franchise, calling on the Government to learn from previous franchises and ensure that the new franchise enhances current rail services.

She said that improvements she suggested include upgrading engines and rolling stock, and the introduction of twice daily express services running from Penzance, via Truro and Plymouth, straight onto London.

She said that support for an express services has also come from the Plymouth Rail Franchise Task Force who have argued that fast trains capable of travelling between London and Plymouth within three hours could allow West Country commuters to reach London by 10am and return home by early evening. Mrs Newton said she has also argued for the retention of the current sleeper service and for the inclusion of the Maritime Line, which has seen a 90 per cent increase in passenger numbers since 2007.

Speaking about the visit, Mrs Newton said: ‘‘I was pleased to have the opportunity to travel down the beautiful Maritime Line with the Minister and outline to her the need for changes that will make a real difference to the journeys of Cornwall’s rail passengers and boost our connectivity with other parts of the UK.

‘It is important the new rail franchise builds on the improvements recently made by First Great Western whilst meeting the challenges of rail electrification.

‘I will continue to campaign for better rail services for my constituents, and look forward to in due course working closely with the successful bidder to ensure that changes are effectively implemented.’’