RAIL workers accused ministers of “betrayal” yesterday after Tory Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin tried to wriggle free of pledges to improve south-west England’s ability to cope with extreme weather.

Union RMT launched an “all-out fight” for the promised resources and investment on the coast-hugging line into Plymouth.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash suggested that without action the line could see a repeat of a disastrous two-month shut-down last winter.