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.
North Cornwall and West Devon have suffered from decades of underinvestment in public transport infrastructure, leaving communities isolated from the National Rail Network and heavily dependent on cars. Now, with growing regional and political momentum behind the proposed Kernow Connect rail strategy, there is a genuine opportunity to transform connectivity across the peninsula.
Kernow Connect proposes a new strategic rail corridor broadly following the A30, reconnecting communities including Launceston and creating the foundations for improved public transport access across North Cornwall. The proposal would improve resilience, economic growth, sustainable transport, and access to employment, education, healthcare and leisure across the region.
Connect Bude welcomes the growing recognition from government, campaigners and transport experts that North Cornwall’s “rail desert” must finally be addressed.
Years of Volunteer-Led Research and Evidence
The growing support for rail reconnection has not appeared overnight. Connect Bude volunteers and partners have spent years gathering evidence, commissioning studies, conducting surveys and developing credible transport proposals to demonstrate both the need and opportunity for improved connectivity in the region.
This work has included:
- Community surveys demonstrating demand for better transport links
- Economic and tourism impact evidence
- Engineering route assessments
- Public transport analysis
- Engagement with rail experts, transport planners and stakeholders
- Collaboration with neighbouring campaign groups including rail advocates in Launceston
Much of this work helped shape the wider conversation now taking place around the A30 rail corridor and Kernow Connect proposals.
One major piece of work supported by Connect Bude was the detailed engineering and feasibility exploration of rail connections between Okehampton, Launceston and potentially North Cornwall. The studies concluded that a strategic rail corridor broadly following the A30 could be technically achievable, while also identifying opportunities for future onward connectivity toward Bude.
Additional volunteer-led work explored potential branch and interchange concepts serving North Cornwall through the Upper Tamar Valley, including possible interchange opportunities near Liftondown and Red Post Cross. The studies identified realistic route opportunities while also outlining engineering considerations and future investigation areas.
The reports also identified the strategic potential of Red Post Cross as a future transport hub serving the wider Bude, Holsworthy and North Cornwall area.
Working Together Across Cornwall and Devon
Connect Bude strongly supports collaborative working with partners across the region, including campaigners in Launceston and those supporting the broader Kernow Connect vision.
We believe reconnecting North Cornwall requires:
- Strategic thinking across county boundaries
- Integration between rail and bus services
- Long-term infrastructure investment
- Cross-party political support
- Community-backed evidence and engagement
The growing political attention now being given to the A30 rail corridor demonstrates how sustained community campaigning and evidence-led advocacy can influence regional transport discussions.
The Next Stage
While significant challenges remain, the conversation has shifted dramatically in recent years. Rail reconnection for North Cornwall is now being actively discussed at regional and national levels in ways that would have seemed unrealistic only a few years ago.
Connect Bude will continue to:
- Work constructively with stakeholders and partners
- Support evidence-based transport planning
- Advocate for integrated public transport solutions
- Promote sustainable regional connectivity
- Ensure North Cornwall’s communities are represented in future transport decisions
The work undertaken so far by volunteers, campaigners, engineers and local supporters has helped bring the region to this point. There is still much more to do — but meaningful progress is now underway.
See the plan below
