The UK Department of Transport (DFT) has announced plans to invest £146.6m in rail improvements across the south-west region of Cornwall.
A total of £9m is being provided by DfT, £29.6m will be secured through Cornwall Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and £103.5m from Network Rail, while the remaining £4.5m will be offered by train operator First Great Western.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This investment, which will boost the local economy and improve connectivity, is great news for Cornwall, the south-west and beyond."
Works under the improvements includes the renovations of the Night Riviera Sleeper trains that operate between Penzance and London, as well as the expansion of the Long Rock train maintenance site to maintain Cornwall’s sleeper trains.
The investment will also see signalling improvements on the railway line linking Penzance and Totnes.
UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "Rail travel in Cornwall is growing rapidly and investing in the rail network here is crucial to securing long-term economic growth.
"These improvements will safeguard and create jobs, improve services for millions of passengers and provide better access to the south-west of England. This is great news for Cornwall and for the wider economy as a whole."
The UK Government had also offered an investment of £900m for local transport in the region.
Image: UK DfT to fund rail improvements in Cornwall, south-west. Photo: courtesy of UK Department of Transport.
