Cornwall rail line opening delayed due to repairs

Network Rail said the reopening of the Newquay rail line was delayed for another week due to emergency repairs

The reopening of the Newquay to Par rail line in Cornwall has been delayed by emergency repair work, GWR has said.

Work to lay new tracks as part of the Mid Cornwall Metro project started on 18 November and was due to take two weeks.

But engineers found ballast had become displaced near St Blazey meaning repairs needed to be carried out.

Network Rail said the line would be closed for "at least another week", but added that the planned engineering work is running on schedule.

Network Rail said engineers discovered a "significant amount" of ballast, the stones which hold the tracks in place, displaced

The new track will allow trains to run to the reinstated second platform at Newquay station.

The Mid Cornwall Metro scheme, which is scheduled for completion in 2026, will create a direct rail link between Newquay and Falmouth.

Network Rail said: "Engineers working on the line discovered that a significant amount of ballast - the stones which hold the tracks in place - near St Blazey had become displaced and as a result repairs must be carried out before trains can run again.

"The line is currently shut while engineers lay new track into Newquay station as part of the Mid Cornwall Metro project and was due to reopen on Sunday 1 December.

"The issue with the ballast is not related to this planned engineering work, which is running on schedule."

Rail replacement services are currently operating during the engineering work.

Head of the Metro railway operations Simon Gillibrand apologised for the disruption.

"We will do all we can to reopen the line as soon as possible. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these vital repairs,” he said.

Bogdan Lupu, Network Rail industry programme director, said the installation was “the first of two major pieces of work" needed to complete the Newquay branch line.

Mr Lupu said: “We’re sorry for the disruption but working this way is the fastest route to bring the benefits of Mid Cornwall Metro to passengers.”

The scheme has been funded by the government and Cornwall Council and is being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with the council and GWR.

The line will be closed again for further track works to take place near Roche next spring.

Work will impact trains for a month, between 24 February and 23 March.