Victorian viaduct upgraded for metro rail project
BBCA Victorian viaduct in Cornwall has undergone strengthening work as part of an ongoing £56.8m rail project to connect the county's coasts.
The upgrade to Ponts Mill viaduct near St Blazey in the Luxulyan Valley will enable faster and more frequent trains to use the line.
The improvements are the latest phase of the Mid Cornwall Metro project which will provide an hourly direct train service connecting Newquay and Falmouth.
Great Western Railway has said it anticipates the service will be fully operational by 2026.
The joint venture between Network Rail, Cornwall Council and Great Western Railway should bring more trains to the county and link its coasts.
Work on the granite viaduct, which was built in 1873, has involved a structural and cosmetic upgrade.
Engineers have replaced the deck and some of its iron core with steel.
Network Rail's Martin Duff said stained masonry will be worked on once the line has been reopened and the viaduct would look "absolutely beautiful".
Construction had been taking place on a 400m (1,310ft) passing loop at Goss Moor to enable trains to pass one another and signalling work is underway.
'No set date'
The Newquay branch line will be closed until 23 March.
Matt Barnes from Great Western Railway said there is no set date for when the service would start: "Passenger services will be launched towards the end of the year, but we are not ready to announce a date yet.
"That will be announced in due course."
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