Leading members of Mebyon Kernow – The Party for Cornwall have criticised government plans to exclude Cornwall from new plans to electrify train lines across the UK.

Loic Rich, public services spokesperson for MK, has expressed his “profound disappointment” at Cornwall’s exclusion from plans to electrify 300 miles of the Great Western main line, and the cancellation of an order for 100 new trains.

“An electric high speed line would have meant serious competition with the airlines, better frequency, and improved reliability. The new trains would have significantly eased the congestion we’re seeing on our railway due to the rise in passenger numbers.

“So Cornwall loses out twice over. I seriously question the Government’s commitment to public transport in Cornwall.”

Mebyon Kernow’s economic spokesperson Pete Dudley has also hit out at the failure to include Cornwall in the new electric rail network.

“The UK lags behind much of Europe, with just 40 percent of the rail network electrified. Left out of these new plans, there is a risk some in the business community will see other areas as more attractive places to invest.

“We can’t afford any more job losses just because someone in London decides that Bristol gets electric rail but Cornwall doesn’t. We will fight these proposals and make sure the line is extended so Cornwall can reap the benefits from an efficient and faster rail network.”