Key upgrades complete at Mid Cornwall Metro
Trains are running again to Newquay
The third major stage of work is complete on the Mid Cornwall Metro - meaning trains are now running again between Newquay and Par.
It's all part of Network Rail's work on transforming coast-to-coast travel in the county.
Over the past four weeks of round-the-clock upgrades, the team has built a new passing loop at Goss Moor, replaced 400m of track at St Blazey, repaired the 152-year-old Ponts Mill viaduct, and installed new signals between Newquay station and Goonbarrow Signal Box.
The project is all being funded by the Government and Cornwall Council, with the first phase seeing hourly trains run between Newquay and Par, more than doubling the current service, later this year.
Through trains from Newquay to Falmouth, via Par, St Austell and Truro, will follow in 2026.
The new 400m passing loop at Goss Moor will allow long-distance and local trains to run at the same time between Newquay and Par. This will enable hourly trains to begin from later this year.
The work at Goss Moor took place on Network Rail land that sits within Goss Moor National Nature Reserve – a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England granted permission for work to take place.
Track was also replaced at St Blazey, near Par station, to allow trains to pass there too.
Major repair work took place to the 152-year-old Ponts Mill (Prideaux) viaduct. The structure carries the railway over the River Par. Four spans, 100m long in total, were replaced using two 60 tonne cranes and new track laid.
With trains able to run over the viaduct once again, work now continues to strengthen its outer-facing steel girders to ensure the railway is safe for decades to come.
The final element of work saw eight new digital signals installed between Newquay and Goonbarrow signal box. They will come into use in September and allow more trains to run to and from Newquay.
A 'vital' project
Rail Minister Peter Lord Hendy said: “The vital Mid Cornwall Metro project is all about improving transport connections for local people and tourists between Cornwall’s popular north and south coasts and will be transformative for the whole region when fully complete.
“Passengers will soon experience the benefits of these additional services, boosting access to the railway for thousands of residents, commuters and holidaymakers.”
Network Rail lead portfolio manager George Collinson said: “We’ve had several teams working non-stop for the past month to make the biggest improvements to the Newquay branch line in a generation.
“Trains can now pass each other at Goss Moor for the first time since the 1960s and our work will soon bring a huge increase in trains along the line.
“We’re sorry for the disruption but our work will provide a significant long-term boost to Cornwall.”
'Steady progress'
GWR Head of strategic service development Matthew Barnes said: “We welcome the steady progress being made to deliver this scheme. These upgrades will make the track improvements necessary for us to provide more, and better, services.
“This paves the way for us to run our first Mid Cornwall Metro trains which will provide coast-to-coast connectivity between Newquay and Falmouth via Par and St Austell.
“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.”
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