Green light for Mid Cornwall Metro initiative
The proposal will bring an hourly direct train service connecting Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth
Cornwall Council’s Cabinet has today voted unanimously to support the Mid Cornwall Metro project, and accept the £50million in funding from the Government for its delivery.
The proposal aims to create a coast to coast through-service connecting Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth.
Cllr Richard Williams-Pears, the Council’s portfolio holder for transport, said:
"We are committed to providing a thriving and sustainable Cornwall, fit for the modern world, for the benefit our residents.
"This initiative is absolutely key to delivering rail and active travel improvements across Cornwall both now and in the future, to enhance the lives of our residents by revolutionising how we can navigate across the Duchy.
"It is an important next step in developing and improving the transport network to support more active lifestyles, offer a greener alternative, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and alleviate traffic congestion by encouraging more people to leave the car and walk, cycle and use public transport instead.
"The Council has already successfully bid for £50 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, and we recognise the importance of this initiative to enable a levelling up of the local economy and future sustainable growth and investment in mid Cornwall. But we recognise too that in these straitened economic times, we have to be mindful that Cornwall Council is the accountable body for the project, and we need to keep a tight hold of the purse strings and a close eye on the project delivery.
"As well as its green credentials and being a catalyst for economic growth and local regeneration around the stations, I see this as the beginning of a transport revolution for Cornwall with this being the Mid Cornwall section of the eventual Cornwall Metro."
Cornwall Council say the Mid Cornwall Metro will bring:
- an hourly direct train service connecting Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth
- a new platform at Newquay Railway Station
- a new passing loop on the Newquay branch line at Tregoss Moor
- doubling of the number of rail services between Newquay and Par - an extra 700,000 seats per year both ways
- improved accessibility and interchange at Par Station
- upgrades to the level crossing
- increased frequency of mainline services between Par, St Austell and Truro
- reduced journey times and ease road congestion for people living along the route
- public realm and accessibility improvements at rail stations and adjacent areas in Newquay, Roche, Bugle and Falmouth/Penryn
- ticket digitalisation - providing tap-on/tap-off ‘Pay-As-You-Go’ ticketing in Cornwall
Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay, has been onboard with the scheme since its inception, and welcomed the news:
"The Mid Cornwall Metro scheme will transform rail travel between Newquay and Falmouth, benefitting all of the communities with stops along the way and opening up regular services to the main line and beyond.
"As well as this, having access to regular rail services will open up new opportunities for education, training and employment for everyone living along this route and will be particularly welcomed in the clay country.
"I have worked hard with the Department for Transport and Cornwall Council’s Transport team to make sure everyone knows about the significant benefits the Mid Cornwall Metro will bring, and am delighted to see the Cornwall Council’s Cabinet endorse it today and commit to getting the funding in place.
"I look forward to continuing to work with all concerned to ensure the Government funding for the Mid Cornwall Metro is delivered and that the project remains on track to benefit all the communities it will serve."
There will be a programme of public and stakeholder engagement on the proposals as the scheme designs develop. Work is due to start in 2024.