Rail companies in the South West have been told to improve their services by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.

Mr Darling, who was making his first official trip to the region, said journey times must be reduced.

He was in Devon to praise work on strengthening and widening the Tamar Bridge.

But he also met business leaders and renewed the government's commitment to sorting out the South West's road and rail infrastructure.

Alistair Darling during his visit to the South West

Mr Darling admitted he was aware of the problems suffered by trains travelling through Dawlish because the line is so close to the sea.

"I know there is a particular problem with trains because of the sea at Dawlish," he said.

"That should not be happening and needs to be sorted out as quickly as possible.

"The answer is that the service needs to be improved.

"There is some investment structurally that is necessary, but there are also day-to-day things that could be done that would make the service more reliable."

I think the government has seen the South West as a second priority

Neill Mitchell, of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council

Mr Darling said important decisions on improving roads into the region would be made shortly and he was aware of the need to maintain air links between the South West and major airports.

But South West business leaders reacted sceptically to Mr Darling's comments.

Neill Mitchell, of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said: "I think the government has seen the South West as a second priority.

"West of Bristol has been seen as of relatively low importance.

Issues understood

"I think we have probably reached the stage where at least the issues are understood at cabinet level.

"But whether we can translate that into action, only time will tell, but we will certainly carry on fighting for it."

The Tamar Bridge project, which was carried out while the bridge was still open to traffic, has been acclaimed as one of the most ambitious engineering feats undertaken in the West Country.

It has won several awards, including one from the Institute of Civil Engineering, and Mr Darling unveiled a plaque in recognition of the work carried out.