First said the new timetables were not yet finalised

First Great Western has been awarded the Greater Western Franchise and is to start running services from December.

Its plans include making cuts to services running on the Falmouth to Truro branch line, and services between Saltash and St Germans.

First said the cuts were in accordance with government specifications for regional services, but that it would listen to comments from passengers.

'Bare minimum'

The firm wants to halve the number of trains running between Saltash and St Germans, axe a service between Calstock and Plymouth, and reduce the services on other branch lines.

Cornwall County Council said it was deeply concerned about the changes to services. It said that First was planning on running the bare minimum of services specified under the new franchise.

First said the plans were within government specifications for the franchise, but added they were not yet set in stone and it would listen to rail users.

Company spokesman Tim Bowcock said: "This is the service that we've put together in order to meet the government's wishes in terms of service levels.