“Not suprised in the slightest.” That was the response from Mebyon Kernow’s public services spokesperson Loic Rich on hearing the news that multibillion plans for a high speed train service, with trains running over 400 kph, would not include a London to Cornwall link.

“We’ve had three major setbacks for rail transport in Cornwall in as many months,” said Loic Rich, who is also Mebyon Kernow’s parliamentary candidate for Truro and Falmouth.

“Firstly, Cornwall was completely left out of plans to create a new electric high speed service out of Paddington. The line won’t even extend to Exeter, let alone Cornwall. Then orders for 100 new diesel trains, much needed to ease congestion on our already crowded trains operating out of Cornwall, were cancelled, and now this. As much as Lord Adonis, the transport minister, has put energy and enthusiasm into the railways, clearly he is true to form when it comes to the Government’s attitude to Cornwall. It seems we barely feature on their radar, if at all.

“What we need is a Government that will come here and listen to people and find out what they need. That includes the needs of the business community and the tourist economy, as well as future freight and the forecast huge increase in rail passenger numbers. Whether its high speed electric, or super high speed on a totally new line – Cornwall needs a modern rail service and it is my firm belief only a Mebyon Kernow MP will be 100 percent committed to pushing this through parliament.”