Metro project to 'change face of Newquay'

A new platform and second track have been created at Newquay Railway Station

A £50m project improving rail services to Newquay will "change the face" of the town, Network Rail has said.

The latest phase of work on the Mid-Cornwall Project has started with 400m of new track being laid at Goss Moor to form a "passing loop".

A new platform and track have already been created at Newquay station to allow an hourly train between the town and Par instead of the current two-hourly service.

The rail firm hoped extra trains would start running this autumn - with direct services between Newquay and Falmouth following next year.

Bogdan Lupu, from Network Rail, said the project was very important to the future of Cornwall

The Mid-Cornwall project received money from the previous government's levelling-up fund.

It would create a direct train service between Cornwall's north and south coast, and also includes a new footbridge with a lift at Par station and improved walking and cycling access to stations along the route.

Bogdan Lupu, the project director from Network Rail, said the new passing loop being built was a key part of the project.

He explained: "It's a single track line, so we can't run a lot of trains.

"The loop is going to enable us to pass more trains so we'll be able to run a train every hour.

"In the summer, you're going to be able to run both local trains and London-Paddington trains to Newquay, which is going to be great for the local community and for visitors. It will change the face of Newquay."

'Better connectivity'

Councillor Connor Donnithorne, portfolio holder for transport at Cornwall Council, believed it would be a boost to the wider economy.

"It will link our big economic drivers in Falmouth and Newquay, helping residents access work opportunities in both towns," he said.

"It's going to help deliver better connectivity for hundreds of thousands of people.

"It's a significant investment."

Mark Warren, manager of Newquay's Business Improvement District, admitted the town's current service was a hindrance to visitors.

"It's very slow and it's not regular enough for people to take it seriously. So the infrastructure definitely needed attention," he said.

"Having an hourly service bringing more people into the town is really important. It's been a long time coming."

Network Rail said replacement buses would be running for the next month between Newquay and Par while the work took place and apologised for the inconvenience.