New construction jobs could be created in the south-west after the Department for Transport announced funding has been secured for a new study into ways to enhance rail services between London and Cornwall.
Great Western Railway (GWR) will provide the cash for the study, which will look into ways infrastructure improvements could be carried out to support the investment already made in new and longer trains.
Network Rail's managing director for the western route Mark Langman said: "Network Rail's Western route is developing a programme of investment to upgrade the rail network in the west and south-west and we look forward to working with Great Western Railway."
Recent concerns have included the coastal line at Dawlish, which has proved vulnerable to sea storms.
This has led to suggestions that an alternative route could be created by reopening the line via Okehampton on the other side of Dartmoor, which was closed by the Beeching Cuts.
