A new direct mainline from Okehampton to Penzance via Launceston and Bodmin could dramatically cut London–Penzance journey times, bring rail access to far more of Cornwall and West Devon, improve national rail resilience by moving key infrastructure away from vulnerable coastal sections, and create a faster, more sustainable freight corridor into the South West.
Connect Bude has welcomed the growing regional and national attention being given to the proposed Kernow Connect rail strategy, which could transform public transport connectivity across Cornwall and the South West.
The proposal would create a new direct rail corridor from Okehampton to Penzance via Launceston and Bodmin, helping reconnect communities currently isolated from the National Rail Network while improving resilience, journey times and freight capacity across the peninsula.
A new inland mainline could dramatically reduce London to Penzance journey times, bring rail access to much more of Cornwall and West Devon, improve national rail resilience by moving key infrastructure away from vulnerable coastal sections, and provide a faster and more sustainable freight corridor into the South West.
For Connect Bude, the increasing momentum behind the project represents years of volunteer-led campaigning, research and evidence gathering finally beginning to gain wider recognition.
Over recent years, volunteers and supporters have helped undertake surveys, engineering assessments, transport studies and public engagement work to demonstrate the need for improved connectivity across North Cornwall and West Devon. This work has included collaboration with rail experts, transport professionals and campaigners in neighbouring communities including Launceston.
The work undertaken by volunteers has helped provide credible evidence that reconnecting the region is not simply aspirational, but technically worthy of serious consideration.
North Cornwall and West Devon have experienced a public transport deficit for decades, leaving communities heavily reliant on private vehicles because of limited alternatives. Poor connectivity continues to affect access to employment, healthcare, education, tourism and wider economic opportunities.
Connect Bude believes that better integrated rail and bus connectivity is essential for the long-term future of the region and welcomes the increasing collaboration now taking place across Cornwall and Devon to push for transformational transport investment.
The group will continue working constructively with stakeholders, campaign groups, local authorities, businesses and government to advocate for sustainable transport solutions that improve connectivity for communities across the region.
If you want to back the project then join us, and sign the petition being led by MP Ben Maguire (MP for North Cornwall) and Leigh Frost (Leader of Cornwall Council).
