A DEAL to bring a new fleet of trains to the south west was given the go-ahead by the Government this week.

It means First Great Western can now buy 29 new high-speed trains which will travel between Cornwall and London, through Swindon, from 2018.

The £360m Hitachi-manufactured fleet will bring shorter journey times as well as 24 per cent more seats than are currently available on those routes.

The Department Of Transport says this means there will be 1,000 more seats available during peak hours.

The trains, which are more powerful, more environmentallyfriendly and more efficient than the current fleet, will replace existing 40-year-old trains.

Rail minister Claire Perry, who is the MP for Devizes, said: “These new trains will make a real difference to the millions of commuters, business travellers and tourists who use this route every year.

“This industry initiative goes hand-in-hand with the work this Government is doing to reverse decades of under investment in transport in regions like the south west.

“This will not only mean better journeys for customers, it will also help to secure long-term economic growth across the country.

“Like the new InterCity Express trains serving cities in the North of England, this new fleet will help to open up the region for investment.”

The proposal to bring in the new trains, which will sport a green livery as part of a rebranding of FGW, was put forward as part of the agreement for the extension of the firm’s franchise.

FGW deputy managing director Andrew Mellors said: “We warmly welcome the announcement today that our recommendations to introduce a new fleet of trains to serve customers between Devon and Cornwall and London have been approved by the Department For Transport.

“We know how important the railway is to the economies of the south west, and the agreement is fantastic news for the region and the rail industry as a whole.”

Mary Kenny, the chief executive officer of Eversholt Rail Group, which will finance the fleet and lease it to First Great Western, said: “We are delighted to be investing in new trains and look forward to working in partnership with both First Great Western and Hitachi to successfully deliver these trains.”

The changes to jobs and maintenance of the new trains sparked strikes by rail workers.