Cornwall residents will be able to take the skies – virtually – to see how the new Mid-Cornwall Metro will change travelling patterns through the county.
The Metro, a £56.8m initiative, is being funded by Cornwall Council along with £50m from the UK government's Levelling Up programme, will form a sustainable transport corridor through the middle of the county.
The new coast-to-coast rail service presently being planned will be delivered in association with partners Great Western Railway (GWR) and Network Rail.
Major upgrades are planned for railway services between four of Cornwall's largest settlements: Newquay, St Austell, Truro, Penryn/Falmouth.
A new hourly direct train service will link all four destinations and a new platform at Newquay station, along with a new passing loop at Tregoss Moor will allow the doubling of services between Newquay and Par.
The new hourly service proposed will provide an extra 700,000 seats each year in both directions. New footbridge lifts will improve accessibility and interchange facilities at Par.
Mainline services between Par, St Austell and Truro will be increased in frequency.
Other improvements will see upgrades to level crossings and faster journey times. Accessibility at railway stations will be improved, as will public areas around stations at Newquay, Roche, Bugle and Falmouth/Penryn. Areas around the stations will make them attractive gateways to their respective towns.
Walking routes, links to bus routes and access to ‘Beryl Bikes' will be improved, especially at Penryn, where improved footpaths and cycle routes will make access to the university campus easier.
Access to Penryn town centre will also be improved as pedestrians are given priority over road traffic, with three zebra crossings and a segregated cycle route. Tap in and out ‘pay-as-you-go' ticketing will also be introduced.
Residents will be able to attend two events at Hotel Victoria at Newquay. These take place on Friday 9 February between 10:00 and 19:00 and on Saturday 10 February between 10:00 and 16:00.
A similar event will take place at the Stannary on the University campus at Tremough on Friday 1 March between 10:00 and 17:00 and at the Temperance Hall, Lower Market Street, Penryn TR10 8BH on Saturday 2 March between 10:00 and 16:00.
A new website has also been launched, created for the project by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, the not-for-profit partnership that works to promote branch lines and help deliver improvements on the railways.
Huw Merriman, the Rail Minister, said: “These events are an excellent opportunity for local residents to see the sheer scale of the transport improvements to come through the Mid-Cornwall Metro scheme – a project that has been made possible thanks to central and local Government funding. They demonstrate clearly our commitment to improving journeys across the region, and this vital infrastructure project is just one example of how we are working to make travelling cheaper, easier and quicker for everyone.”
Cllr Richard Williams-Pears, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for transport, added: “We're looking forward to sharing this virtual reality experience with residents and hope to see as many as possible at the event. The Mid-Cornwall Metro underlines our commitment to provide 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 and the government recognise the importance of this initiative to enable a levelling up of the local economy and future sustainable growth and investment in mid Cornwall.
“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.”
Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council's cabinet portfolio holder for the economy, said: “This project will make a real difference to the everyday lives of people and create so many opportunities by better connecting communities to jobs, services, education, and each other, as well as providing economic benefits in allowing quicker, easier and more attractive access for commuters and visitors coming into the area.”
Tom Pierpoint, GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, commented: “We really are opening up local connections across mid Cornwall through this project, giving better opportunities for people to access education, leisure, work and retail.”
Alexander Maltby, Network Rail sponsor, said: “We're really pleased to be able to work with our partners to deliver this project and transform the railway in Cornwall.
“When complete, Mid-Cornwall Metro will help more people than ever before travel by train in the Duchy.”
went to the meeting at the victoria hotel today what a complete waste of time and public money this link was supposed to go direct from newquay to truro to falmouth but no it is still going to par what a suprise! the reason noone uses it now is that they dont want to travel to par to get to truro and apparently there is now no shuttle service just extra trains to par we need a direct line from newquay to truro like there use to be the st denis route has been scrapped as too expensive but its going to cost 36m to put more trains on oh and also the trains will run from quintrell downs to newquay during boardmasters beleive that when i see it
What a waste of money, have more frequent trains from par to Newquay, a bigger car park at par, problem solved. It says St Austell will have a new main line???
Felixstowe Suffolk did have two stations beach station fleixstowe Suffolk but I think cut 1967 or 1970 but should be reopened think can put a loop inat Felixstowe Suffolk beach station
Felixstowe train line but the train doesn’t run all night and the Peterborough last train from the Peterborough this 21 46pm if you missed you can not get back to Felixstowe in Suffolk
Newquay station should be upgraded to three platforms
Plus a local service resumed back to Fowey. I’m sure it could be fitted in now that there are fewer clay trains
How can Cornwall council afford this when public services are being cut? What happens if costs overrun? My rather negative but realistic view.
Felixstowe Suffolk really upgrade put two lines so have two trains from Ipswich to Felixstowe all got a beach station was cut in the 1966 or 1970
Its about time that the Buses and Trains Should run more often in Cornwall as the Public Transport is very poor over there. Not only that. Its about Time There Should be plenty of New Rail Stations and Bringing the Railway Stations back as well. Now thats to Help people get out of their Cars and unto Public Transport.
We need a bigger car park at Par Station.