FORMULA One technology has been embraced as part of a trial to improve WiFi on the South West’s trains.

A “proof of concept” trial is now underway on one GWR intercity express train, serving the region through to Devon and Cornwall.

The two-month trial uses technology used by McLaren race cars, and sits atop the train carriage to pick up signals from 5G masts and low Earth-orbit satellites to ensure uninterrupted WiFi.

Devon County Council’s full council heard about the trial, which will end in January, after questions about what was being done to improve internet availability on trains.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson (Green Party, Totnes and Dartington), the cabinet member for climate change, outlined the trial that is underway on one train.

She said it had been made possible through £300,000 of funding from the Peninsula Transport sub national transport body, alongside GWR, Network Rail, Hitachi trains and Motion Applied.

“The trial kicked off two weeks ago and was launched in Paddington station where the operators and system designers also attended,” Cllr Hodgson said.

“It is only on one train, so there is a random chance it will be on the train you are on, but it is on services down to Cornwall, and we will need more funding to implement it long-term if the trial goes well, which it seems to be at the moment.”

In a written statement on the trial, Cllr Hodgson added: “The government has committed funding to enhance mobile connections on all Great British Railway operated trains by 2030.

“This trial, which runs until January, will hopefully provide the evidence to support the Department for Transport in developing a procurement and delivery strategy for enhanced WiFi on the GWR intercity network.

“Following the trial, there will be a procurement phase until May 2026, and a delivery phase from June 2026 onwards.”