Cherilyn Mackrory MP for Truro and Falmouth was delighted by news of progress in completing the Mid Cornwall Metro.
Last week, Huw Merriman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, came to Truro to hear directly from local Councillors and Great Western Railway. Work began on the project following the successful bid for £50 million from the Government’s levelling up scheme. The Metro will connect Falmouth, Truro, St Austell, and Newquay with a fast and reliable shuttle service, and will see many stations along the route expanded and redeveloped with new, modern facilities.
The proposed upgrades to the existing line include a new platform at Newquay Station, with accompanying interchange and improvements, a new passing loop at Tregoss Moor, new signalling and level cross upgrades, and a new accessible bridge lift at Par Station.
This scheme is planned to work in conjunction with local authorities to provide Active Travel access to stations on route. This will encourage cyclists as well as improving local cycle networks and promote healthy lifestyles in communities.
The work will be delivered in conjunction with Network Rail’s maintenance renewals programme to ensure minimum cost and minimal service disruption across the line.
The Mid Cornwall Metro will open the door for wider business and economic developments in Cornwall, including the Spaceport, Newquay Station Area Masterplan, and Falmouth University Developments. It is set to improve access to jobs and higher education for areas with lower wages and productivity, and those with no access to a car.
The upgraded line between Newquay and Par will also be equipped to accommodate high-speed trains from London, improving local connectivity and helping provide the essential infrastructure capacity this town needs both during the busy summer, and throughout the whole year.
Cherilyn says:
“This is a brilliant scheme, and I am very positive about where we are going. We’re on track to connect parts of the community which for too long have been isolated but deserve the change to grow and flourish.
“The Metro will bring jobs and prosperity for local people whilst allowing us an easy commute to work. It will help our tourist sector – soon anyone who lands in Falmouth on a cruise ship will be able to travel directly to Newquay to fly home with the time and freedom to stop and visit places along the way! And it will help Cornwall to grow, as we revive mining and expand our digital industries the railway will help give Cornwall the prominence it deserves in our modern global community.”