Funding has been given to support a new study to make improvements to the railway links between London and Devon and Cornwall.

Announced by the Department for Transport and Great Western Railway (GWR), the study is set to be carried out by Network Rail, with the funding coming from GWR itself.

The study will determine what changes can be made to the existing track, its signalling and other aspects of infrastructure to improve the speed on the train line. The study will hope to ensure that new trains will be able to be added to the network.

This study will form part of a report that the government will receive later this year to help decide on the future funding for this particular railway and the services that run on the route.

Claire Perry, rail minister, said: "We are absolutely committed to improve the resilience of the south-west's rail network, with more than £70 million invested in this route so far and routine maintenance continuing to strengthen the line further."