Major rail works progress from Cornwall to Devon

New track, sleepers and ballast are also being laid as part of the upgrade

A major signalling upgrade in Cornwall is due for completion - ahead of a second phase of works in Devon.

Network Rail said 13 days of disruption were drawing to a close, with final safety checks under way by helicopter.

Passengers have used bus replacement services while "Victorian" infrastructure between Plymouth and St Erth was replaced.

The "once-in-a-generation" project will upgrade 66 miles (106km) of track, the company said.

The new signals in Cornwall are due to come into use on Monday, with plans for Devon to follow on 22 March.

On Sunday, Network Rail said: "We are in the final stages of checking and testing following 13 days of round-the-clock working to modernise signalling in Cornwall.

"We are reviewing the railway from the air today and train services are due to resume tomorrow morning.

"Passengers are reminded to check before they travel."

Bus replacements to Cornwall were still running from Plymouth Station on Sunday

Martin Duff, from Network Rail, said three traditional signal boxes were closed as part of the work, with signalling to be controlled centrally at Exeter.

New track, sleepers and ballast were also laid.

Mr Duff said: "It's both a very big project and a very challenging project.

"We're signalling the railway - [it is] a once in a generation alteration between Liskeard and Chacewater."

Works in Devon are due to begin on Saturday, when the line would be closed between Exeter St David's and Plymouth until 17 March.

Closure is then due between Totnes and Plymouth, extending to Exeter St Davids after 21:40 GMT, from 18 March to 21 March.

Matt Barnes, from Great Western Railway (GWR), said: "The signalling in this area is Victorian in type.

"So having a new digital signalling system, a modern signalling system, is going to be a great thing for customers and our ability to run train services reliably."