Next phase of £56.8m metro project under way

The next phase of a project to provide coast-to-coast rail travel in Cornwall has begun.

The £56.8m Mid Cornwall Metro project is looking to provide an hourly direct train service connecting Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth.

Work for the third phase began with Network Rail building a 400m (1,310ft) passing loop which would allow long-distance and local trains to run at the same time between Newquay and Par.

Construction will take place at night before the line temporarily closes on 24 February until 23 March, with rail replacement services in place.

Network Rail said that, along with the completion of the passing loop, 400m of track would also be replaced near St Blazey, as well as safety work on the Ponts Mill viaduct.

The first phase of the project would see hourly trains run between Newquay and Par which is expected to start later in the year.

As part of the scheme funded by the government and Cornwall Council, a second platform was restored at Newquay station along with 500m of new track and a new crossing installed.

Matthew Barnes, from Great Western Railways, said: "These upgrades will make the track improvements necessary for us to provide more - and better - services.

"Once the infrastructure works and operational preparations are complete, the first step will see us double frequency on the line between Newquay and Par, followed by the start of coast-to-coast services at a later date."

Councillor Connor Donnithorne said the project was the "biggest investment into public transport in Cornwall for 30 years".

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