They would be the biggest cuts since Beeching's time

Reports over the weekend suggested branch lines such as Barnstaple to Exeter and Truro to Falmouth could be axed to save money, which would then be channelled into inter-city services.

If the changes did go ahead it would be the biggest cut in rail services since the Beeching cuts in the 1960s.

The authority has condemned the reports as "absolute rubbish".

Threatened lines? Exeter to Barnstaple and to Exmouth Newton Abbot to Paignton Liskeard to Looe Par to Newquay Truro to Falmouth St Erth to St Ives Have you say about rail services

"Come back in a week and ask me if Martians are walking on the earth and I'll give you the same answer," said Kerry Evans of the SRA.

"We don't know where the story has come from but people should be reassured these plans are utterly without foundation."

On Sunday Rail Minister David Jamieson insisted there was no plan for "mass closures" to branch lines.

But he warned no individual branch line could be considered "sacrosanct".

Somewhere, somebody is doing some work on this Tim Jones, Devon and Cornwall Business Council

But the Rail Passengers Committee is seeking further clarification.

And business leaders remain sceptical about the denials.

"In our experience there is almost inevitably some basis of truth," said Tim Jones of Devon and Cornwall Business Council.

"Somewhere, somebody is doing some work on this.