Ben Maguire Takes Kernow Connect Rail Plan to Government

Imagine boarding a train in Truro and stepping off in London just two and a half hours later. That’s the prospect being floated by North Cornwall’s MP, who has secured a meeting with the Rail Minister to push forward plans for a brand new electrified line through the Duchy.

Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, says he has made “vital progress” on the so-called ‘Kernow Connect’ project, which has grown out of earlier feasibility work by Connect North Cornwall and Launceston Town Council.

What’s being proposed

The concept is a new, fast main line running from Okehampton to Bodmin along the A30 transport corridor. According to the Kernow Connect proposal document, the route would leave Okehampton and keep to the north of the A30, pass through a tunnel under Sourton Down, then cross the A30 and the Tamar on a viaduct before entering a new Launceston station near Pennygillam.

From there the line would continue along the A30 corridor, cutting across Bodmin Moor using tunnels where needed, and serve a new interchange-style Bodmin station to the east of the town. It would then rejoin the existing Cornish main line. The existing line from Exeter to Okehampton would also be upgraded.

The whole route would be 125mph, fully electrified, and able to carry a mix of fast passenger trains and heavy freight, including 9’6″ containers (W12 gauge).

What it would mean for passengers

The press release describes “much faster journey times of around two and a half hours from Truro to London” and improved, resilient mainline access for around 600,000 residents of Cornwall, Devon and beyond.

The Kernow Connect proposal document goes further, claiming journey times between Exeter and Bodmin would be cut by more than an hour, and that 72,000 people in North Cornwall would gain access to mainline stations for east/west travel.

The proposal also flags transport resilience as a key benefit. A second rail crossing of the Tamar would mitigate future risk concerning the historic Royal Albert Bridge, and the new route would provide an alternative to the vulnerable coastal line through South Devon.

Freight, mining and net zero

The press release says the project would open up significant freight transport opportunities for industry and critical minerals across Cornwall, helping to reduce pressure on key road infrastructure.

The proposal document claims one freight train could take up to 129 HGVs off the A30 and emit 76% less CO2 per tonne. The economic case points to mining, including tin and lithium, regional freight distribution and better use of the deep-water port at Falmouth. Initial estimates in the document suggest a Benefit Cost Ratio of more than 2.0, which it says is comparable with projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Meeting with the Rail Minister

Ben has requested that Cornwall Council move forward with further feasibility work, after securing a meeting with Rail Minister Lord Hendy to present the proposals to officials at the Department for Transport.

He describes the project as a “core priority” since his election, and part of a wider campaign to improve North Cornwall’s transport infrastructure. He says the scheme would support Cornwall’s economic growth and help drive the Duchy’s transition to net zero.

Commenting on the plans, Ben said: “This is a hugely exciting step forward for Cornwall, with our ‘Kernow Connect’ plans now gaining lots of momentum to transform rail connectivity here in the Duchy.

“The project has real potential to unlock growth right across Cornwall, as well as improve journeys for residents while also supporting our key industries like Critical Minerals and others through freight links.

“I’m now looking forward to taking these plans directly to Ministers at the Department for Transport in the coming weeks and working alongside local transport groups and Cornwall Council to really get this off the ground. Given the amount of time major rail projects like HS2 and Northern Rail have taken to deliver we are looking at a delivery date of 2040-2050 and so it’s important we make progress on the pre-construction phase as soon as possible.”

A ‘game-changer’ for the Cornish economy

David Hill-Smith, Rail Advisor to Connect North Cornwall, added: “This would be a game-changer for the Cornish economy, significantly reducing journey times for the whole Duchy, cutting carbon emissions by taking HGVs off the roads and delivering major opportunities for growth, for example to Falmouth Deep Water Port.”

A delivery window of 2040 to 2050 means anyone hoping to catch that faster train to Paddington will be waiting a while. A one-page summary of the Kernow Connect proposals is available online.