HAVE past events already determined Cornwall's future?

The train service from Plymouth to Penzance was the last part of Isambard Brunel's vision of a service from London to New York via Penzance. He was probably the greatest engineer of his age. But, unfortunately for Cornwall, his company was running out of money, so Cornwall became a huge "bodge;" ie, he went round obstacles rather than tunnelling through to save money. The bridge over the Tamar, his bridge built 1858, the track to Penzance, his track. Because no one bothered to update his error, the huge price you pay today.

The 10.05am train from Paddington to Penzance arrives at Plymouth 13.08, average speed 69mph. Now the slow crawl through Cornwall to Penzance arrives 15.12pm, average speed 38mph. The engine has a top speed of 125mph. It's like a racehorse pulling a milkcart. In France trains run at 200mph, Japan even faster (we are living in the 21st Century where time is money!).

The buses are not much better. The South West of England has more people using private transport than any other part of England. Could this be because public transport is unreliable, too expensive, or both? A campaign has started to get people out of cars and onto buses or trains - so far London has only been successful.

In Cornwall the First Group's response is to raise fares on buses and trains, thereby achieving the opposite effect.

Does not anyone at County Hall understand 21st Century economics. They plan to build hundreds of new homes in Cornwall, but not to upgrade the roads.

Where do the people occupying these homes drive or park their cars? Where will they find employment? Can you expect major companies to invest in Cornwall, which has no motorway, a railway that's hardly progressed since the 19th Century and a road network which is dated?

But it gets worse. The young top achievers, having studied for a better life, find no prospects in the county where they were born. If the top achievers have no future, what becomes of the under-achievers? Or will Cornwall literally become the dead end of Britain?

Albert Biggs, School Lane, Troon, Camborne