The new franchise will be awarded in 2006

The Transport Users Forum is meeting in Exeter to consider plans to create one super rail franchise for the whole South West.

But rail user groups in Cornwall are angry discussions about the future of services affecting the county are not taking place within its boundaries.

Public consultation meetings are due to take place over the next two months in Cardiff, Bristol, Reading and London, but not in Cornwall.

Bidding process

A Cornish member of the Rail Passengers' Committee, Colin Griffin, says Exeter is too far for the county's residents to travel.

He is worried this is a pattern for the future.

But chairman of the South West Public Transport Users Forum, Chris Irwin, says bus and rail users in Cornwall are not being ignored.

He says they must look at the bigger regional picture and if they experience problems they should contact local authorities.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) intends to create a Greater Western rail franchise which will include the services currently provided by First Great Western, Thames Trains and Wessex Trains.

The new franchise will be awarded in 2006 after a competitive bidding process.

The meeting of the South West Public Transport Users Forum will look at a number of issues, such as the routes and service frequencies that should be provided by the new franchise.

The best balance between local and long-distance trains will also be considered, as will better integration between rail and other public transport services.