RAIL users have a final chance to make their views known on a vision for the next 20 years of train services in the South West.

This week sees the end of the consultation on the Peninsula Rail Task Force’s draft 20 Year Plan for rail improvements across the region.

Launched earlier this month, the plan sets out the vision for rail connectivity across the peninsula and ways to achieve it over the next 20 years.

The PRTF is a campaign group comprising Cornwall Council, Cornwall and Scillies Local Enterprise Partnership, Devon County Council, Heart of the South West LEP, Plymouth City Council, Somerset County Council and Torbay Council.

The draft vision sets out the benefits to the South West’s economy of better rail links in a bid to persuade the Government to invest, and a list of improvements required to realise the economic potential of the region.

These include: improving resilience of the coastal line at Dawlish; reinstating a line from Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton and Tavistock; constructing a new line, avoiding Dawlish, between Exeter and Newton Abbot; and improving journey times.

A PRTF spokesman said: ’The plan is our business case to government for a resilient, reliable railway with enough capacity for passengers to travel in comfort. We can make a far better case with the support of our rail users, so we urge anyone with an interest in the South West rail network – be they residents, commuters or visitors - to send us their views. 

’This feedback will help us draw up the final report which will be submitted to government in July, so please do get involved.’

The closing date to comment on the 20 Year Plan is midnight on Friday, May 27. It can be downloaded and feedback submitted at www.peninsularailtaskforce.co.uk.