It should be noted that PRTF do recognise the importance of intermediate calls, such as Westbury, and will not jeopardise these (at least for the semi-fast services!).
Many thanks for your full post. The above struck me as potentially helpful, but can you clarify for me?
On Monday to Friday, there are six services from Plymouth and beyond to London that call at Westbury, though only three (four on a Friday) from London that call at Westbury and continue to Plymouth or beyond.
Was your reading of the what they said that they would do or suggest nothing which would reduce this level of
through service? Indeed it should probably increase based on the very high levels of demand we see westward from both Paddington to stations well short of Plymouth, and from Westbury through Devon to Plymouth and beyond.
The desire for express trains from Plymouth to London is well appreciated and I don't think anyone would argue for all services to be semi-fast - what's needed is a balance of through express and semi-fast services.